The Bellefontaine City Council met on Tuesday, where Service-Safety Director Wes Dodds spoke to council about an electric and natural gas aggregation that will affect city residents in the coming months.
Dodds explains more:
Next Dodds addressed the elephant in the room, the looming annexation of property into the city at the intersection of County Road 11 and Township Road 216.
His statement was the following:
“Over the past several weeks, there has been a lot of discussion in our community. I know this has stirred up concerns and strong feelings, and I respect and appreciate those who have taken the time to share their perspectives. My hope tonight is to bring some clarity and balance to the conversation.
This annexation involves 143 acres of the Detrick property at Township Road 216 and County Road 11. Approval this evening would simply bring the property within the corporate boundaries of the city. It does not approve a housing development. It does not approve tax abatements. It only means that the property owners would gain access to city services such as water and sewer, and that income derived from this property would be subject to city income tax.
Yes, the property owners have expressed interest in developing housing. But annexation is just the first of many steps. Any proposed development would go through multiple stages of review, council oversight, and public input. There will be opportunities to address concerns in detail before anything moves forward.
The concerns most often raised fall into four categories: infrastructure, traffic and safety, connectivity, and tax abatements. Let me touch briefly on each.
Infrastructure – Our city utilities already serve Southview Park and Belletech, so extensions are feasible. Importantly, the cost of extending utilities would be borne by the developer, not taxpayers. And our plants have ample capacity: our water plant is running at less than half capacity, and our wastewater plant also has significant room. Every new home not only pays its share of monthly user fees but also contributes to long-term system support.
Traffic and Safety – I agree with neighbors that traffic at this intersection is already a challenge. That’s why any development here would require a professional traffic impact study. The results would determine what improvements are needed — from widening to turn lanes to signals. And again, those costs would be the responsibility of the developer.
Connectivity – Growth should strengthen our community, not fragment it. Sidewalks, trail links, and safe pedestrian connections to Southview Park and beyond will be essential. These will be required as part of any development plan, and we should see this as an opportunity to improve walkability for both new and existing residents.
Tax Abatements – I want to be clear: annexation does not automatically trigger abatements. Any abatements would require council approval. We have heard Bellefontaine City Schools’ request to stop extending abatements to new properties, and I support a fresh review. Abatements helped jumpstart growth over the last several years, but we are at a point where adjustment may be the right step forward.
Conclusion– The concerns raised are real and deserve attention — and they will get it. But annexation is not the final word on those issues; it is simply the first step that makes further dialogue and planning possible.
Growth brings challenges, but it also brings opportunity. New families mean new energy, more income tax to sustain services, stronger schools, and more support for local businesses. Bellefontaine’s employers need workers, and workers need housing. Without new housing, we risk holding back the momentum that has revitalized our downtown and strengthened our economy.
I also want to acknowledge the residents closest to this property. Your concerns are valid, and I don’t dismiss them. My belief is that through collaboration, we can address them in ways that make our community stronger.
Council, voting yes on annexation tonight is not just about one property. It’s about affirming the progress Bellefontaine has made, positioning us for continued success, and making sure our community keeps thriving into the future. I urge you to support this annexation.”
Several residents spoke in opposition to this annexation, stating safety reasons, infrastructure concerns, and overall well-being of the community.
In other reports from administration, Police Chief Chris Marlow gave a brief department update, Economic Development Director Ben Vollrath reported a successful trip to Japan to visit parent companies of local manufacturing companies in Logan and surrounding counties and Chief Brian Wilson reported his staff had handled several fire calls due to the dry weather and that they continue to have repairs done on several fleet vehicles.
In other business, council heard several ordinances:
- First Reading: An ordinance making supplemental appropriations and amending the Permanent Appropriations Ordinance for purposes of the Auditor, City Hall, Tax, Water, and Wastewater Departments, and declaring an emergency. The measure passed on first reading only, by a unanimous vote.
- Third Reading:
- An ordinance accepting an application for annexation of 143.138 acres owned by Andrew G. and Barbara Detrick in Harrison Township, establishing zoning classification, amending the zoning map, and declaring an emergency.
- An ordinance amending certain provisions of Chapter 923, Water, of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine, and declaring an emergency.
- An ordinance amending certain provisions of Chapter 925, Sewers, of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine, and declaring an emergency.
All third-reading ordinances were passed unanimously and officially adopted.
The next Bellefontaine City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14th, at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers.
