Trustee chair reappointed and shares 2025 goals

by Dan Holland

Jan. 2 township trustees meeting

Richfield Township trustees re-elected Don Laubacher as chairperson and Janet Jankura as vice-chair of the board.

Laubacher reflected on his time serving as a trustee. “What I’ve enjoyed the most over the past three years as a trustee is helping residents solve problems, building relationships with them, learning and understanding how township government works and thinking strategically and creatively about our future,” he told The Richfield Times. “It’s an honor to be a trustee, and it’s a double-honor to be the chairperson. I’m grateful to Trustees Jankura and [Robert] Luther for electing me chairperson and appreciate their confidence.”

Looking ahead, Laubacher noted goals he has in mind for the township.

“Our annual goals are the steps we take to make our longer-term vision possible,” he said. “For me, that vision is a township that has maintained its rural character, is responsive, transparent and service-oriented. We also want to continue development of the Joint Economic Development District, so that the income from it reduces the property taxes our residents pay, and we will continue to partner with Richfield Village and surrounding park districts to develop trails and connectivity.”

Future Goals

Laubacher noted township goals accomplished in 2024 and listed goals for 2025. 

“The main goal we had last year was to pass a fire/EMS levy at a reduced millage, which we did,” said Laubacher. 

He added, “We had a severe undervaluation of the Best Buy property, and thanks to the team at Allega, we were able to get that resolved, which is a big win for the residents.”

“We also made the transition to the [Ohio] Uniform Accounting Network, and we got the complaint associated with the Best Buy Project resolved,” he added. “So, we accomplished a number of important goals in 2024.”

The first goal Laubacher listed for 2025 is the creation of a five-year financial projection for the township.

“We’ve never done [a five-year projection] from a township standpoint, and I think it would be very helpful, especially as we’re seeing new revenue coming in for the JEDD and the Best Buy facility and the Briarwood development,” said Laubacher. “So, we want to be able to allocate that money appropriately.”

Other goals include monitoring property taxes coming in from the Briarwood Development and possibly establishing a reserve road-paving fund for the next time the Glencairn Forest development needs repaving, in about 15 years, said Laubacher. 

Laubacher also said he would like to phase out the township’s trash hauling levy with the additional revenue from the JEDD. “We pay about $227,000 annually to Rumpke now, which is a big number. So, it’s not going to go away, right away. But I would love to see a way to gradually phase that out over time.”

A Comprehensive Land-Use Plan, to be guided by an 11-member panel, will get underway with meetings commencing in January. Laubacher noted that, as part of the process, he would like to examine options for providing additional services to residents.

“For our final goal, we have a number of road projects that are being funded by other entities this year; Briarwood is being paid for by Pulte Homes, and then we have a grant to pay for repaving of Stubbins, Farnham and Hecker,” said Laubacher. “So, while other people are paying most of those costs, we have to make sure they are done properly, and we need to make sure all the stakeholders are involved in the process.”

Fiscal

Fiscal Officer Vik Sandhu reported that the 2025 opening cash balance for the township was approximately $2.08 million – an increase of more than $50,000 from January 2024. He added that the township earned more than $100,000 in interest income during 2024 between the township’s STAR Ohio and Huntington Bank accounts.

Laubacher suggested that Sandhu and Administrator Mindy Lott set up a meeting with Huntington Bank to explore any new or additional investment products available in 2025.

Pavement programAt a special meeting on January 15, trustees approved a resolution to participate in the 2025 Summit County Regional Pavement Maintenance Program. This authorizes the county to seek and award bids for the township at a cost not to exceed $435,000.