We wanted to provide an update to this topic that members of SCFB have engaged in over the last 6 years. Some of our members may be asking what a surface water management district is and why it is needed. The Summit County Engineer’s website describes their justification at length but, in brief, it was recommended by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency so that Summit County could comply with their regulations. It was also necessary to utilize American Rescue Plan Act funding for large stormwater projects. It is not uncommon to see SWMDs in urban areas of Ohio. Some of these cover more than one county or some can be county specific.
Our organization entered the discussion in 2018, when we were made aware of a special district being modified for just Bath Township. We advocated to the Summit County Council that undue burdens not be made on the agricultural community. We appreciated that the council heard our voices and amended the district’s rules to agriculture’s favor. In 2022, the county council expanded the district to now contain all Summit County townships, Lakemore and Reminderville. For a helpful visual, refer to the map. Areas in blue are townships and all townships are automatically in the SWMD. In addition, the two villages of Lakemore and Reminderville (green on the map) are included as well because those villages have chosen to opt in. Other villages (green) or cities (red) can also opt in. Members of Summit County Farm Bureau engaged in several discussions with the Summit County Executive Office about the fee structure of their program. To their credit, they incorporated our feedback to lessen the burden to agricultural property owners.
To date, the SWMD has been funded through American Rescue Plan Act funding. Fees will be exacted in 2025 and are based on a combination of property value and acreage. Agricultural landowners in the affected areas (only applicable if you live in a township, Reminderville or Lakemore) will need to complete specific paperwork in order to attest to agricultural use over multiple parcels. Volunteers with Summit County Farm Bureau are currently communicating suggestions to the Fiscal Office about how to make this as straightforward and simple as possible so that landowners comply and don’t face excessive fees. According to the Summit County Fiscal Office, this paperwork is expected to reach the relevant households by June 20.
Landowners with questions are directed to reach out to Stephanie Deibel at the Summit County Engineer’s Office (330-643-8733). Summit County Farm Bureau will continue to monitor the situation and update this article as we learn more. To learn more about the SWMD and to view the fee schedule, visit the Summit Engineer’s website.