Fairfield Township trustees set second hearing after residents question $5 permissive vehicle-license tax

Fairfield Township trustees held a public hearing June 2 on a proposal to impose an additional $5 permissive motor-vehicle license fee on registrations in the township’s unincorporated areas and scheduled a second hearing for June 10 at 7 p.m.

Administrator Shannon Lipinski explained that Ohio Revised Code 4504.181 permits townships to levy an extra permissive license-plate fee and that, if enacted, the township’s share per vehicle would rise from $4.50 to $9.50 and the measure could bring an estimated $250,000 a year dedicated to road and stormwater capital work.

The discussion focused on how the revenue would be spent and on alternatives. Lipinski told the trustees and attendees that township capital funds “cannot be used for any other reason” and listed eligible uses — asphalt, curb-and-gutter replacement, storm pipe and jetting, signs, equipment and contracted paving services. She presented township revenue and expense projections showing growing shortfalls by 2030 if no new revenue is added.

Residents voiced mixed reactions. Maria Tangier of Harvard Street asked whether funds would be limited to capital work and was told they would. Ferry Stroud and several others said they believed prior federal ARPA funds and county COVID-era allocations had temporarily supplemented paving budgets and that those dollars are now exhausted. Rodney Gray of Green Crest Drive and other attendees urged trustees to explore cost controls and to make sure paving work targets the highest-need roads, while other residents said they preferred spreading cost by vehicle use rather than further raising property taxes.

Trustees and staff explained two legal funding paths available to townships under state law: a permissive motor-vehicle license fee or a road levy (property-tax millage). Trustee Mcabee said the $5 fee is one of the commonly used, immediate options and noted trustees may later increase the permissive fee within statutory limits if they choose.

After public comment, the board voted to close the hearing and to schedule a second public hearing on Tuesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. at the Fairfield Township Administration Building. Trustees also said they plan to vote on the matter at their regular meeting on June 17.

The hearing record shows trustees took public feedback on priorities for pavement and stormwater projects and requested staff provide a detailed, year-by-year paving plan and a clearer accounting of prior and projected spending before a final vote.

Trustees stressed that, absent additional revenues, the township could reduce the annual paving program and that deferring projects frequently increases long-term costs.

The board’s procedural actions during the meeting: a motion to open the public hearing, a roll-call vote to close the hearing, a separate motion to schedule the second hearing for June 10 at 7 p.m., and a statement that a decision would be taken at the June 17 regular meeting.