MANSFIELD — Several parties have expressed interest or advocated for Richland County to have its own port authority.
But ultimately, the decision laid on the shoulders of county commissioners.
Following conversations with those in support of the initiative, including officials from the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development and Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry, the three-member board made its support official Thursday.
Commissioners approved an engagement letter for the creation of a port authority, authorizing $10,000 from the county’s general fund for the legal work by Daniels & Rhodes.
A port authority is granted several powers through Ohio Revised Code, including the ability to own land, levy a property tax and assist in redeveloping environmentally challenged sites, according to the Ohio Council of Port Authorities.
Port authorities can also provide sales-tax exemptions to businesses, in exchange for a fee.
Greg Daniels, an attorney for the Columbus-based firm, said he will work with commissioners to draft a resolution for the port authority’s creation and having it adopted.
Addressing a question from Commissioner Tony Vero, Daniels said the initial costs to establish the port authority could be reimbursable to the county once it begins generating revenue.
The firm would also help with procedures of the port authority’s initial board meeting to help with organization.
“That would include everything from rules and regulations, to putting together public records policies, records retention schedules, kind of the nuts and bolts that any public body needs to function,” Daniels said.
Term limits, degree of commitment for board members
It is not unusual for a port authority to charge a fee to its private development partners for its services. Daniels said that revenue is what helps the port begin to fund itself and possibly reimburse the county for its startup costs.
“There (are) projects very soon in the pipeline,” he said. “That will be able to create a sustainable stream of revenue.
“This is a little bit of startup expense for the county, but then the port would be self-sustaining moving forward,” Daniels told commissioners.
During discussions with potential board members, Vero said questions regarding term limits and time commitment have come up frequently.
The attorney said there are no term limits and that each port authority board member term will be four years at a time. He said a member could resign in the event they’re no longer able to serve.
On average, “more active” port authorities meet once a month for about nine or 10 months out of the year, Daniels said. It ultimately relates to the frequency of deals being completed.
“My initial instinct is probably a quarterly meeting of the port will be enough,” Daniels said. “But to a large extent, it’s going to be dictated by deal flow.”
Vero and Commissioner Darrell Banks previously said five members would be the desired number to appoint to the port’s board.
PREVIOUS REPORTING
Port authority may boost economic development
Tom Vanderhorst, financial specialist at the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, told commissioners in April that a port authority could help the county enhance and stimulate economic development and growth.
He said it’s almost a “competitive disadvantage” not to have one.
Ellen Heinz, president and CEO of the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, thanked commissioners on Thursday for being “forward-thinking.”
Perry and Jessica Gribben, economic development manager for Shelby and northern Richland County, were also in attendance Thursday.