The Ohio Annexation Law PDF Download

Townships today provide essential public services to nearly one-third of Ohio's population. The ability of townships to provide services is severely threatened by annexation, the process by which land is removed from a township and attached to a contiguous municipality. Annexation in Ohio is a serious problem effecting townships. Ohio annexation law was last changed in the mid 1960s. The landscape of Ohio has changed and township government is much stronger than it was 30 years ago. In many areas of the state, the need to extend municipal boundaries into townships via annexation is no longer a necessity. This research project demonstrates the problems associated with Ohio's annexation laws. This is accomplished through a review of Ohio's annexation statutes and a review of the unsuccessful efforts to reform these antiquated statutes. Annexation data is also presented which illustrates the significance of township land and population loss resulting from annexation. The research concludes with a discussion on the measures townships can take to prevent and/or oppose annexation. The research led to the conclusion that township government remains a viable form of local government in Ohio, and annexation is a major problem effecting the continued existence of township government. The author concludes that reform of Ohio's antiquated annexation statutes is the answer to the states' annexation problem.