By Ron Nunnari,
Independent Staff Writer
In an effort to provide information about their proposed merger, the Clayton-Randolph Merger Commission recently sent letters to the Northmont Board of Education and the Englewood/ Northmont Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of the letters is to seek input as well as address concerns either of the two entities may have concerning the merger issue.
The merger commission requested that the board of education and chamber respond by May 21. A written response has already been received from the Chamber Of Commerce. In addition, both entities were invited to attend upcoming merger commission meetings to see what the commissioners are doing.
According to merger commission co~chair John Beattie, the chamber’s response contained several good questions which the commission needs to consider and respond to.
Some of the questions pertain to how the new city will promote new businesses and where the money would come from for infrastructure improvements, a valid question since businesses need infrastructure in order to operate, said Beattie.
Randolph Township has been taking steps in recent years to get infrastructure in place, mainly water and sewer.
In the last five years Randolph Township has received $6.4 million in county grant money to install sewer and water in the southwestern portion of the township, according to Randolph officials. Recently the county agreed to fund the development of phase III of the Wolf Creek Interceptor Sanitary Sewer. Included in this project will be the extension of water and sewer service along Route 49 to Interstate 70. The project will be debt funded meaning the county will barrow the money to fund the project. The county commissioners voted to fund the project after the township’s application for an ED/GE (Economic Development/ Government Equity) grant was denied. According to Montgomery County Commissioner Don Lucas the commissioners saw the importance of having infrastructure in place with the impending completion of the Trotwood Connector, which should trigger development in the area.
The area north of Interstate 70, including Clayton, will remain without water and sewer service. Township officials have stated that plans are in the works to bring water and sewer service to the area north of the interstate, but declined to elaborate on the details.
If the two communities merge some wonder how the newly formed city will be able to fund its operations in order to provide services to its residents.
According to Beattie, as a result of merging the new community will receive an additional $382,000 per year from the local government fund distribution as well as gas tax and motor vehicle license tax, which is apportioned out by the county pursuant to a formula which favors cities over townships. All of this information was provided to the merger commission by the county auditor's office and the county engineer's office.
"When it comes to infrastructure improvement, if the community wants the infrastructure and development, then the money is available through an income tax if needed,” Beattie stated. "What we are saying is that, right now we do not need an income tax in order to maintain the current level of service as it exists now in the township and the village. But if the new city needs money for additional services or infrastructure development, income tax is a source it can draw on at a future date if needed.”
"Contrary to what was stated in the Englewood-Northmont Community Newsletter by Mayor Kemper, we have a significant base of tax payers which would generate, with a one percent tax, around $500,000 per year. Those figures were obtained from the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission from the last census."
The Merger Commission is nearing completion of a first review draft of the merger commission's findings pertaining to how the merger should work. The first draft will be sent to consultants Marsh and McAdams, who specialize in issues pertaining to merger, for review. Marsh and McAdams will adjust the wording so that the text is clear and can't be misinterpreted legally. In addition they will ensure that the draft abides to the Ohio Revised Code.
Seventy five days before the next general election the merger commission must file its report with the board of elections in order to put the merger issue on the ballot.
"So far we have found no indication that would prevent the merger commission from recommending the merger be put on the ballot," said Beattie.
Clayton's current budget is around $150,000 per year plus an additional ‘Cops Fast' federal grant of approximately $18,500.
The village has one full-time police officer. When the full-time officer is off duty the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office provides coverage. The village road crew consists of a part-time road superintendent, and in the summer employs four or five part-time workers and in the winter two or three part-time workers.
The population of Clayton is approximately 700.
The township's annual budget for 1995 was in excess of $5 million, which consisted mainly of property taxes. The township currently has 27 full-time employees and 20 part-time, not including about 100 paid on call fire and emergency medical services personnel. There are three full-time road department workers. The township's population, based on 1990 census figures, is 12,812.
