Capital improvement program headed to May ballot

News Editor
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In the May 6 primary election, Ohio voters will decide if they want to continue using tax dollars for grants and loans to local governments to fund infrastructure projects.
Two resolutions recently approved in the state legislature call for a constitutional amendment seeking voter approval of a re-authorization of the State Capital Improvement Program administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission.
Under the program, low-interest loans and grants are provided to local governments for roads and bridges, wastewater treatment systems, water supply systems, solid waste disposal facilities, and stormwater, sanitary collection, storage, and treatment facilities.
If approved by voters, the State Capital Improvement Program would be extended, allowing the issuance of an additional $2.5 billion - $250 million per year over 10 years - of general obligation bonds to fund local projects.
The SCIP was established in 1987 and reauthorized by voters in 1995, 2005, and 2014.
In written testimony to the House Finance Committee, the Ohio Township Association stated Ohio’s townships have benefited greatly from the SCIP.
“Many projects funded are collaborative efforts that involve partnerships between townships and their county engineer. Numerous township projects address road safety issues, such as high vehicular crashes or intersection and sight distance impairments,” the testimony says. “Townships in Ohio are responsible for over 41,000 miles of road – more than counties, municipalities, or ODOT – and during the current authorization period… Ohio’s 1,308 townships have received $194.1 million.”
Representing the Ohio Municipal League, Mike Barhost told the Senate Finance Committee the program has funded more than 4,400 projects since 2017.
“Passage of the resolution, and its ultimate passage by voters – is sorely needed at a time municipalities are already facing a variety of disruptions and challenges to their revenue streams. This includes overruns due to inflationary pressures that have led to significant increases in project costs,” Barhost told the committee.
Area townships and municipalities have funded many projects through the SCIP.
“We have seen more than $1 million of grant money allocated to the Village of Walbridge in recent years which has helped us improve infrastructure and replace aging roadways,” mayor Ed Kolanko said. “Elm, Harlan, Clayton, Union streets have all benefited from the SCIP program. This year, Walbridge Road, from Luckey to East Broadway, will see improvements as well. There is substantial work that the Walbridge administration and council put forward to position ourselves to be grant recipients. Overall, the Village of Walbridge is improved with the help of the State of Ohio SCIP and we are appreciative.”