Annexation
Although the Village of Bethel has previously discussed the new Ohio
Supreme Court Ruling which appears to allow the Village of Bethel to
annex areas that they currently provide utility service to. There has been no
decision to pursue such action in the near future. The Village of Bethel
believes that by providing factual information, landowners will realize the
facts and benefits rather than the rumors that had been circulating.
Current types of Annexation in the State of Ohio
- Regular Annexation Petitions by at least 51% of the property owners within the territory proposed to be annexed.
- Expedited Type I Annexation Petitions by all the property owners within the territory proposed to be annexed, with consent of the municipality and township(s), as evidenced by either an annexation agreement or a cooperative economic development agreement (CEDA) being submitted with the petition.
- Expedited Type 2 Annexation Petitions be all of the property owners within the territory proposed to be annexed, with or without consent of the municipality and township(s). The territory proposed to be annexed is not to be excluded from the township(s), unless otherwise provided by an annexation agreement or CEDA.
- Expedited Type 3 Annexation Petitions by all of the property owners within the territory proposed to be annexed for the purpose of undertaking a significant economic development project. The territory proposed to be annexed is not to be excluded from the township(s), unless otherwise provided by an annexation agreement of CEDA.
- Annexation by Petition of a Municipality, County, or State Owned Land Petitions by a municipality to annex municipal, county, or state
- owned land that is contiguous to the municipality. The territory to be annexed is
- not to be excluded from the township(s).
Recent Questions
I have a septic system that works fine. Can I keep it if my property is
annexed?
YES. The EPA requires that any person whose property line is within 200 feet of
a sanitary sewer system must hook up to the system, regardless of whether you
live in a township city or Village.
Will my fire service provider be the same?
YES. You will be serviced by the Bethel-Tate Fire Department.
I keep horses and other livestock on my land. Will I be able to keep them
upon annexation to Bethel?
YES. By Ohio law, the City/Village must allow you to continue any legal use of
your land that you maintained in the township. Your current zoning classification from the township will continue until it is brought under the City/Village zoning
classification that is closest to the township zoning class. You will then have the
option of requesting a different zoning classification if you so desire.
I have a farm. Does annexation benefit me?
YES, YOU BENEFIT. Farming has long been a vital part of the Bethel’s
commercial and cultural heritage. Typical “city” restrictions may be removed or
relaxed for agricultural lands in the City/Village. You can still farm commercially,
hunt, trap, and discharge firearms with property size restrictions.
How does city government compare with township government?
CITY/VILLAGE GOVERNMENT IS MORE RESPONSIVE TO YOUR NEEDS. A
city/village is run by a Mayor elected every four years, and 6 Council-members
elected by the residents of the municipality. Administrative duties are shared by
elected officials and various appointed officials who provide technical expertise.
Village Departments provide the services and amenities that are part of Village
life. Because Villages have “home rule”, an important Constitutional right not
available to townships, the citizens of a City/Village can determine the type and
amount of government they desire. They are not limited in the services they can
choose. There is a strict separation between the lawmaking and administrative
roles. Thus, your representatives make the laws and other officials are
responsible for carrying out the services.
Township government is run by three Township Trustees and a Clerk-Treasurer
elected every four years. Not one Trustee represents you specifically or is
accountable directly to you. You must compete for a Trustee’s attention along
with all other township residents. Part-time Township Trustees are charged by
law with combined lawmaking as well as administrative duties. So it is more
difficult to provide a high level of services to their citizens. Services are restricted
to those specifically permitted by the Ohio Revised Code. The Township form of
government was designed and intended (and works best) in sparsely populated
rural areas. With the urbanization of the area, many feel that Township
government is not responsive to their needs.
Would Bethel Village government benefit Me?
YES. Village government provides many services that townships simply cannot
offer. The Village of Bethel provides a Street Department, Full Time Police
Department, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Parks and
Recreation Committee. Bethel also provides street lights to its residents. In
addition to these resources, the Village of Bethel is served by a Law Director, as
well as a Building and Zoning Inspector. Finally, when it comes to providing
services for citizens of Bethel, Village government has broad authority to respond
to its citizens and their needs. The Village can adopt its own criminal and traffic
ordinances to better serve its taxpayers. Townships are limited to the State’s already existing code of law, and have little authority to adopt ordinances that
could better serve the local community.
How will my voice in local government change?
You can vote in Village/City elections. Bethel citizens can also serve on City
Council and various Village boards and committees. Citizens will continue voting
in same county, state and federal elections.
Will the Village require existing property owners to put in street lights,
sidewalks, and other infrastructure?
NO. The Village would not require property owners without their consent to
install street lights and sidewalks. Additionally, traffic signals will be maintained
and installed where warranted.
RUMORS vs. FACTS
RUMOR:
The City only wants to annex property to get increased revenues.
FACT:
The Village of Bethel does not make money by annexing unincorporated areas. While annexing these areas does bring additional state shared and other revenues that are based upon the additional population, these revenues do not offset the additional costs incurred in providing Village services to the annexed area. The Village’s motivation in annexing area is based on the desire to provide efficient and effective services to people living within Bethel’s corporate boundaries.
RUMOR:
Bethels property taxes are significantly higher than Tate Township and will force people to move.
FACT:
Bethel property taxes are slightly higher. The increase is around $12.00 a month on a $100,000 home, however, other services and taxed property is cheaper in the village, narrowing the difference if not making it cheaper to Village residents. To offset some of these costs, the Village of Bethel has contracts that actually end up saving residents money on services they use. An example is garbage removal. A Village resident pays $12.25 per month versus higher rates imposed by Rumpke Waste Removal.
RUMOR:
Vehicle registration taxes are higher in Bethel.
FACT:
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles states it is no more expensive to register a vehicle in the Village of Bethel compared to Tate Township.
RUMOR:
Bethel water and electric rates are higher than Tate-Monroe and Duke.
FACT:
Bethel does purchase these products from the above companies and distributes the services on Bethel’s infrastructure. Bethel purchases utilities in a bulk amount with a set rate for an average of 10 years at a time. This provides a discounted rate to the Village and in most cases the savings is passed along to the end user. Electric rates vary monthly by tariffs which at times are lower than Duke. This does vary month to month. Water service is increased to properties on the Village of Bethel’s infrastructure that are outside of Village limits. If properties annexed into the Village those rates would drop to the rates within the Village.
RUMOR:
Bethel does not allow you to have bon fires in the Village.
FACT:
The no burn line is set by the State of Ohio EPA and enforced by the Bethel Tate Fire Department. You cannot have an open burn within 1000 yards (Football field) of any incorporated municipality. For further explanation and/or to view the no burn line contact the Bethel Tate Fire Department. This does not include fire pits, patio fireplaces, cooking camp fires, grills, etc.
RUMOR:
No one else is interested in annexing into the Village of Bethel why should I?
FACT:
It is not Bethel’s intention to force anything on anyone. Due to some people’s misunderstanding of Bethel’s plan and vision, various rumors had been created and spread. Hopefully, people will research what is being talked about and create educated decisions rather than fear of the unknown. Several people have came forth and provided interest in annexing into the Village of Bethel as well. These properties are currently being worked on.
RUMOR:
Many people like Bethel being a quant little town hence the word “Village”.
FACT:
Per Ohio law once a village reaches a census population of more than 5000 residents it is now considered a City. Bethel has around 2600 residents as of the 2000 census. Since then several houses and apartments have been built. There is currently a new residential subdivision being built at the end of Easter Road. Additional developers have contacted the Village for additional senior citizen housing. If Bethel becomes a City it will not become a Springdale or Cincinnati. A good example is the City of Indian Hill or the City of Madeira. Bethel will be able to apply for more grants for revitalizing the community (i.e. downtown renovations, parks & playgrounds, etc.). Becoming a city does not mean losing the values of a small town. In fact there are numerous benefits to the community.
I want to learn more and/or have my property annexed to Bethel– how do I
start? Contact the Village of Bethel’s Administrator or the Mayor’s office and tell them that you are interested in annexation. They are here to assist you in getting an annexation area proposed and starting a petition.