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EAST PALESTINE -- A public hearing date has been set for the proposed Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) between the village and Unity Township.
Council recently approved holding the hearing at 6:15 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Municipal Building on North Market Street.
The JEDD has been a topic of discussion and planning between the village and township for some time, and the hearing will allow for public comment and recommendations on the proposed contract.
Those wishing to comment during the hearing are able to review the proposed agreement prior to that date by finding all documents and information on the village's website, eastpalestine-oh.gov, or by visiting the Municipal Building and requesting copies in person.
According to the prepared JEDD resolution the village and township are expected to vote on sometime after the hearing, the JEDD will result in the creation of the district and levy of an income tax within that district which will enable the township, village and the district to provide government services within that area, and to promote economic development within the district, township and the village.
The JEDD will also facilitate economic development to create or preserve jobs and employment opportunities and to improve the economic welfare of the people, according to the proposed resolution.
The resolution also states that the JEDD can only be formed by unanimous vote of the township trustees, the consent of the majority of record owners of property and business owners, if any, located within the district, and the proper zoning completed that would be necessary for its creation.
If created, the township will be responsible for providing road-related services, including paving, repair maintenance, signage and snow removal for township roads, with the village will be responsible for road services customarily provided for village roads located in the district.
East Palestine would also be responsible for any building permit and zoning approval, inspection, and enforcement services, customarily provided by provided by the village within its jurisdiction, as well as police, fire and EMS dispatching services, and local economic development programming and operation, the proposed resolution states.
The resolution also outlines who would serve on the board of directors for the district.
The five-member board would consist of the township president, village manager, a person appointed by business owners of the district, a person appointed by those working within the district, and a person jointly appointed by the township member, village member, business owner representative and employee representative.
Each board member will be paid $150 per month to serve on the board.
The board is then responsible for electing officers that will serve two-year terms. These officers are a chair, vice-chair, secretary and treasurer.
At its first meeting the board must adopt a resolution to levy an income tax on income earned by people employed or residing within the district and the net profits of businesses operating within the district, the proposed resolution states.
The income tax must be the same as the village's rate, which is currently 1.5 percent, and would be adjusted as needed if the village's rate changes.
The resolution also outlines other parameters of the district, including sanitary sewer service, potential water storage, and duties of the district board members.