UPDATE @ 3:30 p.m. (Sept. 24)
A “final proposal” from Sugarcreek Twp. to the city of Centerville regarding emergency services at the oft-debated Cornerstone of Centerville development was put on the table this week, but Centerville officials said they have no interest in the offer.
According to Sugarcreek Twp. Administrator Barry Tiffany, the township notified Centerville verbally of a proposed agreement that would provide the township with $4.1 million over the 30 years from Centerville to assist with covering the development for emergency services.
A major sticking point during negotiations with the city was funding for road projects.
“We’re stuck on a couple things,” Tiffany said. “The trustees have taken a position that this is it – this is all we’ll accept at this point.”
Sugarcreek is asking for Centerville to pay a TIFF fund of $1.1 million, money that would be used to pave streets in the township.
However, Centerville Mayor Mark Kingseed said the city has no interest in that.
“We’re not going to accept it,” he said. “The city is not going to pick up the extraneous costs of road construction in Sugarcreek Twp.”
The dispute had centered on emergency services at the Cornerstone property, which includes the anchor store Costco. Sugarcreek argues its call volume has increased with the new activity and said it will only become busier.
“The odd thing about this is both sides now agree on the $4.1 million to provide for fire service – we’ve agreed to pay it and we think it’s a fair amount,” Kingseed said. “They’re trying to add extra things they want to pile onto the Centerville taxpayers, and that’s what we’re not going to allow.”
Tiffany has said that if Centerville rejects the township’s “final offer,” they’ll hold public meetings to discuss fresh options with community members and business owners.
“Some of the options may be hiring a fire company or forming a joint fire district with the city of Bellbrook,” he said. “One of the options the trustees don’t want to consider is raising taxes, especially to subsidize service to Cornerstone. Our residents have made it very clear that’s something they’re not interested in.”
Centerville leaders hope that Sugarcreek reconsiders its “final proposal” and comes back to the table.
“We intend to give them what will be our final proposal, and we’ll do that later in the week,” Kingseed said. “Our hope is we get these folks back to the table, and we’ll start moving again.”
UPDATE @ 2:13 p.m.:
After meeting in a joint executive session earlier this month with Centerville officials, Sugarcreek Twp officials have submitted their final offer when it comes to emergency services at the Cornerstone of Centerville development.
“The Board of Trustees has made every attempt to find middle ground with the City of Centerville on an agreement to provide Fire and EMS services to the annexed area that would not be detrimental to our residents and current business partners,” said Sugarcreek Twp. Administrator Barry Tiffany in a prepared statement. “While we have reached an agreement on many items there remains a few major hurdles that remain unresolved.”
We have reached out to Centerville officials and are awaiting their response on this latest development.
According to Tiffany, the township notified Centerville verbally of a proposed agreement that would provide the township with $4.1 million over the 30 years from Centerville to assist with covering the development for emergency services.
A major sticking point during negotiations with the city was funding for road projects.
“The primary obstacle is Centerville officials insist the township give up over $1 million in road project funds,” according to a township statement. “This is a position that the [board of trustees] refuses to entertain.”
It’s unclear if Centerville officials intend to accept the “final offer” from Sugarcreek officials, but we’ll let you know what they decide
FIRST REPORT:
Sugarcreek Twp. officials said they have verbally notified Centerville officials of a “final offer” when it comes to emergency services at the Cornerstone of Centerville development.
Sugarcreek Twp. Administrator Barry Tiffany said part of the offer involves the township receiving $4.1 million over 30 years from the city of Centerville to assist with covering the development for emergency services.
We have contacted Centerville officials for comment and are awaiting their response.
We are working to learn more information about this story and will update this as details become available.
