Great Lakes RCAP Staff Meet with Ohio Representative Gary Click

Ohio Senior Rural Development Specialists Brandon Evans and Cindy Brookes recently met with Ohio Representative Gary Click, who represents District 88, to address the significant regionalization challenges currently facing a community within his district. During the meeting, they carefully reviewed and discussed the specific issues the community is grappling with, such as the complexities of coordinating between various local agencies and navigating the administrative and financial hurdles of regional cooperation.

In addition to focusing on the local challenges, they took the opportunity to highlight examples of other communities across Ohio that have successfully undergone regionalization. These communities have either merged their water systems or are in the process of consolidating their infrastructure with neighboring municipalities to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service delivery. These success stories provided valuable insights into the benefits and practical considerations of regionalizing local services.

The group also discussed the recent passage of Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 703.331, a legislative development that has raised concerns in several communities, particularly regarding its implications for local governance and water systems. Discussion followed regarding the potential challenges this law could pose, especially in terms of how it might impact smaller municipalities' ability to maintain control over their water systems. The conversation highlighted the need for careful consideration of the law's provisions to ensure that local governments can continue to provide essential services while also addressing the broader goals of regional cooperation and sustainability.