The City of Akron, the Village of Lakemore, the Township of Springfield, and the County of Summit today signed a memorandum of understanding (12k pdf) that will have a far-reaching impact on development and growth in Lakemore Village and Springfield Township.

"Summit County is known for being a leader in the state of Ohio in modernizing government to meet changing needs," said Executive James B. McCarthy. "This agreement today is a model for cities, villages, and townships around Ohio of what good can come from everyone working together."

Today’s agreement is a unique adaptation of the Joint Economic Development District concept pioneered by Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic. "This is a continuation of our policy to work with our regional neighbors to promote economic development. When we work together to promote job growth, we can solve other problems of the region as well. Today’s agreement is the first time that we are using the principles of a JEDD to benefit areas beyond our existing agreements."

In 1994, Akron and Springfield entered into a JEDD contract in which Akron promised not to annex township property in exchange for a tax-sharing arrangement. Akron provides both water and sewer service to new business and industrial developments in the township and receives a 2% income tax payment from workers in the district.

The Village of Lakemore operates its own water system, but not sewer; and Summit County operates a sewage system in the area, but does not provide water.

Two recent events prompted the ambitious new collaboration: the potential loss of jobs at Lakemore’s Edwin Shaw Hospital whereby employees who previously paid income tax to Lakemore may be re-located to Akron’s General Medical Center; and a request by A.R. Lockhart Development Co. for utilities to serve a 136-acre development parcel in Springfield Township.

Lockhart approached Lakemore about annexing the Springfield Township property to obtain Lakemore water.

"This would have been a welcome development for the Village," said Mayor David Carter, especially in light of the jobs we may be losing to Akron General Medical Center. But we also knew that any annexation of land would be opposed by our Springfield neighbors."

Complicating the Lockhart request would have been a provision of the Akron-Springfield JEDD contract by which the City and the Township have pledged to jointly oppose annexation attempts, pitting both Akron and Springfield against Lakemore.

"Mayor Plusquellic was willing to sit down and discuss the matter numerous times to avoid what could have been a costly battle," said Mayor Carter.

Today’s agreement will make possible the following results:

1. Springfield Township will create a planned residential district on the 136-acre Lockhart property for 236 new units of housing. During the building phase of the development, construction workers will pay the 2% income tax to the City of Akron, which the City will share equally with Lakemore. As each home is completed, the parcel will become part of the Springfield service area.

2. The City of Akron’s right to sell water and sewer to the Lockhart development will be assigned: Lakemore Village will provide water, and Summit County will provide sewers.

3. Other developers in Lakemore who have been stalled in their efforts to reach Agreement on sewer service will also benefit, since Summit County will provide that service to Lakemore customers under the Agreement.

"Clearly, this is the most economical and efficient way to provide these utility services," said Executive McCarthy. "It should work in everyone’s interests."

Springfield Township trustee Bruce Killian hailed the agreement as a logical extension to the Akron-Springfield JEDD. "We welcome the Village of Lakemore as a member of the partnership that has brought security to our borders and numerous benefits to our communities."

In addition to the provisions enabling the new housing developments, today’s agreement goes further:

1. Both the City of Akron and Summit County will provide economic development assistance to Lakemore which does not maintain its own Planning Department. The city and county will help plan and promote the use of vacant parcels in Lakemore for industrial and business development.

2. If and when Edwin Shaw hospital re-locates jobs from Lakemore to Akron, the City will pay to the Village a share of new income taxes that the City collects from these re-located workers on a sliding scale: 50% in the first two years, declining to a 10% payment through the 10^th year after the re-location of the job.

"I think this is an idea whose time has come for all municipalities in the County," said Mayor Plusquellic. This is an equitable result for everyone."

Ron Koehler, Chairman of the Springfield Town ship Board of Trustees said that cooperation between the governmental entities provides better services to all of the residents of the area. ‘This agreement continues the spirit of regionalism that was started with the JEDD and provides a basis for even more joint efforts in the future."

Today’s agreement includes other commitments and anticipates that a new JEDD contract will be entered into among all 4 entities in the future to enforce the no-annexation agreement.

Springfield Township Trustees and Mayor Carter will also appoint a blue ribbon commission to evaluate and improve existing mutual aid agreements and create other opportunities for collaboration.