Water proposal demonstrates why many in Lucas County fear regionalism

Some of the information is reported in the Toledo Blade which subtitles the article, "Townships limit growth, share benefits under plan". Some of the details:

The agreement would allow Toledo to sell water to residents in the townships, but any expansion of water use, such as for new housing or commercial developments, would have to be approved by city council.

The plan also requires the communities to pass a land-use policy and have zoning. Toledo would sell the water with a 75 percent surcharge on the basic rate charged in Toledo.


I don't think anyone would state that Toledo should not make a profit on selling water, even though realistically the water itself is not owned by Toledo it's a natural resource; Toledo is the one who has water delivery and sewage systems in place. It's the control issue that seems to be of the most concern. As quoted in the Blade article:

She (Lourdes Santiago) said by negotiating a deal where the city gets revenue from township developments, the city is not helping another jurisdiction compete with Toledo. Unlike in the past, the city is not looking to annex property, just share in the revenue, she said.

"The growth that takes place could not hurt Toledo because the city will benefit," she said.

As to the issue of annexation, I can't help wondering how many people are aware of the Ohio Supreme Court ruling in March that makes it clear that annexation of property as a condition of providing water and sewage services is allowed and it can be demanded that people can not opt out; from the Court summary:

The Supreme Court of Ohio ruled today that a county combined health district has legal authority to require a property owner to connect his household sewer outlet to an available municipal sanitary sewer system, even when the municipality operating the sewer system requires annexation of the property to the municipality as a condition of connection. Justice Alice Robie Resnick authored the Court's 5-2 decision.

The statement as quoted in the Blade article by Pete Gerkin:

"This gives townships flexibility," Mr. Gerken added. "If they don't like it, they don't have to go there."

I disagree, this proposal would give Toledo and Toledo City Council huge power over what happens in the Townships as far as their economic development. Toledo would be in a position to deny water permits, let's say as an example that Toledo wanted another Costco and one of the townships also had a chance to have one. Toledo could deny the water permit. Townships that want water are not only going to pay the 75% surcharged but have to agree to allow Toledo City Council to determine what they can or cannot have as far as water permits. The whole politcal nature of what our City Council is will be thrust upon these townships, while it is supposed to be nonpartisan, it's not. Maggie Thurber has quite a bit of additional information about this on her blog that I recommend if you are interested in this topic.

Those that I have talked to that don't support regionalism typically state as one of their top reasons they are against it is they don't trust Toledo to not put their self interest first before the rest of the County. This also makes people feel that the majority of the Lucas County Commissioners are more interested in what is best for Toledo rather than the county as a whole. It would have been interesting if the Blade had asked both Lucas County Commisioner candidates what their position was on this proposal. I hope to find that out in the near future.

While I am a Toledo resident now, I have lived in townships, I have friends who live in townships and as one friend said to me, "This is almost like blackmail, either we meet their terms or we can't have water". I'd like to disagree with him but some of these communities have limited options as to their water sources so it does place them in a very difficult position and I see this process as one that could create even more distrust of Toledo and our County Government. That to me is not the path to encouraging regional prosperity.