Delphos annexation hearing examines 9.220-acre petition; township raises signature and future-use concerns

An evidentiary hearing before the Allen County Board of Commissioners on March 24 reviewed a petition to annex 9.220 acres from Marion Township into the City of Delphos. The petition, filed Jan. 14, 2026 by agent Scott Federoff, drew testimony from the petitioners, the City of Delphos and Marion Township before the board adjourned the hearing at 2:37 p.m.

Assistant Prosecutor John Willamowski Jr. and Clerk Brittany Woods outlined the statutory criteria that the board must consider under the Ohio Revised Code, including requirements in R.C. 709.02 and related sections that address petition form and property-owner support, municipal provision of services, the territory’s size, and whether the general good of the territory will be served.

The clerk admitted five exhibits into evidence: the filed petition, the Allen County Engineer’s report, the City of Delphos resolution describing services to be provided, mailed notices, and an affidavit of mailing listing owners and adjacent owners. Petitioner agent Scott Federoff submitted additional exhibits and argued the statutory factors were satisfied.

City witnesses including Adam Haunhorst, Safety Services Director for Delphos, and Mayor McConnehea presented a traffic impact study and testified the city can provide water and safety services for the area. Haunhorst reviewed crash history in the area over five years and described local procedures for converting land use from residential to commercial if owners seek such a change. County staff—Chad Scott (Tax Map) and Allen County Engineer Brion Rhodes—reviewed the engineer’s report and clarified that Lincoln Highway would be included in the annexation boundary but Lehman Road would not.

Marion Township Trustee Jerry Gilden testified in opposition. Gilden raised two types of objections: procedural questions about whether the signatures on the petition constituted a valid majority of owners (noting one property listed an incorrect address), and substantive concern that future conversion of the properties from residential to nonresidential use would create detriments that could outweigh the benefits of annexation. The transcript records Gilden’s opposition but does not include rebuttal evidence from either side.

The board heard closing arguments from the petition agent and the township trustee; no rebuttal evidence was filed. The hearing record will be used by the commissioners when they later determine whether the petition satisfies the statutory tests for annexation under Ohio law.

The petitioned area is described in the administrative record as 9.220 acres to be annexed from Marion Township to the City of Delphos; further administrative or judicial review and a formal board determination will follow the evidentiary phase.