The growth now and predicted for Central Ohio has a direct impact on both communities. We want to work together to pursue thoughtful, well-planned growth and influence regional expansion by combining our resources.
Both Westerville and the Township believe this will lead to continued strong public services, responsive public safety and crime prevention, safe schools and neighborhoods, job creation and overall economic stability.
Most important in this moment is collaborating on controlled, comprehensive planning, in which Westerville has experience, expertise and resources. Both communities believe this provides the most opportunity to preserve what we love while we plan for the future.
Harlem Township officials have been in a proactive strategic planning process for some time. Their intent was to seek a strategic partner, and approached the City of Westerville about opportunities. Informal conversations over the past year gradually became more concrete and finally turned into the idea to explore a formal merger.
Both communities have a history of working together and sharing ideas on issues of common interest, including public safety, smart growth and infrastructure and economic development. With the significant development to the east of our communities expected to bring new opportunities as well as new pressures, both Westerville and Harlem Township officials have been interested in making sure they preserve a high quality of life for their residents, as well as manage new growth in a balanced, responsible way.
Mergers are the formal consolidation of two or more communities, with the majority approval of each communities’ voters. They also allow for more collaboration and negotiation between communities, unlike annexation. Mergers allow local residents to have direct approval. Annexations do not.
Annexation is a legal process by which some property in an unincorporated area of a township becomes part of a city. Often this occurs at the request of a property owner or private developer who wants to build an industrial, commercial or residential building(s) on the land. Many townships are broken up through annexation and divided among one or more different cities, losing their character and their ability to manage growth and development. Avoiding this “chopping up” of Harlem Township and the risk of run-away development that could create significant new traffic congestion and other problems is one of the benefits of a merger.
The merger process is spelled out in Ohio law. The process that Westerville and Harlem are exploring requires:
Yes. Other Ohio townships and municipalities have successfully merged. For example, voters in the Village of Riverside and Mad River Township, the City of Cuyahoga Falls and Northampton Township, and Hudson Village and Hudson Township have all approved mergers. More recently, communities across Ohio are exploring mergers as ways to effectively manage growth and ensure quality development, realize the benefits of shared services and infrastructure and build and sustain the integrity of their community. In fact, in response to the opportunities that have arisen with the explosive growth in the Silicon Heartland, residents of St. Albans Township and the Village of Alexandria in Licking County recently voted in favor of forming a merger commission to explore the possibility of merging their governments.
No. That is not required under Ohio law. In fact, the Ohio General Assembly amended its merger statute (R.C. 709.44) to remove a previous requirement that a township and municipality be adjacent in order to merge. It is required for annexation, but not for a merger.
Central Ohio is growing and changing rapidly and that will only continue. Without proper controls, planning and management, nearby growth risks overwhelming both communities and the quality of life residents enjoy today in both communities.
Under Ohio law, township governments have less power than city governments, especially when it comes to managing growth. Given all the growth in our area, Harlem Township is at risk of another city starting to annex its land. That other city would then decide what kind of development takes place on that land. If Harlem Township residents want to make sure they have as much control as possible over protecting their heritage and deciding their future, they need the powers of a city. The best way to do that is to merge with a city, like Westerville, that has a proven history of prioritizing smart, planned growth and then successfully managing it. If not, Harlem Township could be chopped up and disappear into other cities that don’t share its residents’ interests in deciding what kind of developments take place on all its open spaces.
Westerville has a history of prioritizing careful, thoughtful planning and successfully managing development. This is a key reason why Westerville is one of the most desirable places to live in Ohio. Merging with Harlem Township gives Westerville residents more control over their borders where the most growth is expected. Without taking the initiative to control our future and manage future development, we risk suffering the consequences of uncontrolled growth, including more traffic and congestion and new, large developments inconsistent with the character of these communities.
The voters of each community. Residents of each community will be able to participate in planning, discussion and feedback opportunities that help form the merger agreement.
It is important to understand the high-quality services that Westerville residents deserve and expect will not be diminished or diluted due to a merger. If the merger is approved by voters, residents of the former Township will have access to the same services as soon as practical. The timeline and expectations for providing services in Harlem Township will be detailed in the merger agreement which would be presented to voters.
None. Schools are governed by separate, independent school districts and their boundaries are not controlled by cities or townships.
Avoiding unexpected changes to Harlem Township is actually one of the reasons to pursue the merger. Under Ohio law, township governments have less power than city governments. There are various ways Townships can partner with adjacent municipalities to help reduce the likelihood of annexation, but these other options could have a piecemeal impact. Westerville and Harlem both want to have a more comprehensive approach to avoid unplanned, run-away growth. This makes for a natural partnership.
It is common practice for different parts of communities to have different standards that respect and preserve the character of different areas and neighborhoods. Harlem would continue to have its own set of zoning districts for a period of time to protect its unique character and ensure that any development is carefully planned and consistent with the qualities that make it a desirable place to live and work and raise a family. Overall, a comprehensive planning effort would begin the first quarter of 2025 if approved.
It is anticipated a merger agreement would include the current Westerville property tax rates including existing city charter, fire and emergency medical service (EMS) millage. The current effective property tax rates are anticipated to cover future costs at current service levels throughout the city. If you are a current Westerville resident, your property tax rates will not increase because of the merger. If you are a Harlem Township resident, tax year 2025 property tax rates (payable in calendar year 2026) would increase by approximately 3.41 mills to conform to the Westerville current tax rate. This equates to approximately $120 per year for every $100,000 of fair market value.
The increase in property tax to Township residents will provide for additional fire and EMS funds to serve the new boundaries of the community. The Harlem Township Fire Chief has reported that the Township run volume has increased 20% over the past year, along with a similar increase the year before. As growth continues, the current Township fire levies will not be sufficient to maintain the existing levels of service. The estimated tax increase from a merger would be similar to the estimated cost of a future Township fire levy without a merger. A merger would also provide those who live in the current Township with additional community benefits such as enhanced police services and reduced rates to access Westerville Parks & Recreation facilities and programming and senior services.
The city’s income tax is based upon work location. Harlem Township residents working in the City of Westerville already pay the city’s 2.0% income tax. Residents working outside the City of Westerville may already pay income taxes to the community where they work, if the income tax rate is less than 2.0%, then actual tax withheld is given full credit, but is limited to the city’s 2.0%. The income tax is paid on earned income. Retirement income, such as social security payments and pension income, is NOT TAXED. For more information on Westerville income tax, please visit Frequently Asked Questions | City of Westerville, OH.
The City of Westerville does not allow the discharge of firearms within its borders. However, because of its rural nature and low population density, discharging firearms is allowed in Harlem Township and a formal merger proposal would continue to allow this there.
If either communities’ elected leadership does not approve it by two-thirds then the process would stop. Whether or not it could be taken up again depends on each communities’ elected leaders. If either communities’ voters do not approve it by a simple majority the proposal would fail.
All communities in Central Ohio – including Westerville and Harlem Township – are facing a housing crunch. This is why a comprehensive planning process is so important. Housing impacts development, traffic, services, amenities and much more, and vice versa. A planning process involving members of each community will help mitigate overcrowding, unsustainable housing and other issues.
Yes, all residents of the fully merged communities have access to the resident rate (and early registration) for Parks & Recreation programming and facilities. Additionally, anyone who contributes to the income tax in the City of Westerville is eligible for the resident rate.
Copyright © 2024 City of Westerville - All Rights Reserved.