Commissioners advance preliminary TIF for Liberty Place subdivision, schedule public process

The Clark County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 25 approved a preliminary term sheet to pursue tax-increment financing for Liberty Place, a proposed development of roughly 159 single-family homes, and authorized the economic development plan and statutory notices that start the public review process.

The preliminary term sheet (Resolution 2026-0160) would establish incentive districts under Ohio Revised Code Section 5709.78(B) and use a portion of property tax payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOTs) to reimburse the developer, Darp, LLC, for certain public infrastructure costs. County staff said the arrangement contemplates 30-year bonds and a structure described as “100% with additional 5 mils on the development itself” to fund the infrastructure and make school districts whole.

Ethan Harris, county development staff, told the commission the 5‑mil levy is charged to homeowners within the development and is intended to cover infrastructure costs; he said certain levies — for example, library and some senior services — are protected while other local revenues such as township general fund and county general fund are not fully protected. Harris said the 30‑year bond term could be paid early if property values rise.

Darp representatives pressed for clarity. Pat Williams said the developer had been asked to pay legal fees during the review process and voiced frustration about a perceived lack of follow-up: “they wrote the check in good faith,” Williams said, adding that the developer expected more detailed explanation from county counsel. Ron Sweeney, also of Darp, said the total bond request is under $2.1 million and that Darp expects to receive less than $1.3 million of that amount for infrastructure, calling the 5‑mil structure a means to provide more up-front funding.

Commissioner Richard Lohnes expressed concern about adding 5 mils, noting the Board had not used a TIF in his 12 years on the commission. Commissioner Charles Patterson said the extra 5 mils applies to new homeowners who will know the tax structure before purchase, not existing homeowners. Commissioner Sasha Rittenhouse said the Board needs to educate the public and discussed the statutory notice and public hearing steps that will follow.

County staff outlined next steps: if the Board’s resolutions proceed, letters will be sent to the Northeastern Local School District and the Springfield‑Clark Career Technology Center, the schools can negotiate compensation or remain silent (which the county interprets as allowing the TIF to move forward), and a public hearing will be scheduled in April with further commission consideration on May 6.

Public commenters raised both support and opposition during the meeting’s public comment period. Jason Lautenslager, representing Laborers Local 1410, told the Board he supported the broader Sloopy Solar project but referenced the Liberty Place item’s economic potential, saying the county could see “$57 million over the course of this project, approximately 25 to 30 years.” By contrast, Moorefield Township resident Jack McKee and others asked how township levies (fire, EMS, roads) would be affected and said they felt insufficiently consulted.

The Board voted to advance the preliminary TIF term sheet and adopt the economic development plan and overlays that begin the formal notification and public hearing process (Resolutions 2026-0160 and 2026-0161). The actions do not finalize a TIF; they authorize staff to notify affected jurisdictions and begin statutorily required hearings and negotiations.