MANSFIELD — The next step toward a massive Buc-ee’s Travel Center in Mansfield is expected Tuesday evening.
That’s when City Council will likely vote on the annexation of 112.5 acres from Madison and Mifflin townships near the I-71/Ohio 39 interchange.
The land needed for a sprawling retail center could mean more than 200 new, full-time jobs in the city at a site that would encompass more than 70,000 square feet.
It would feature more than 100 gas pumps and unique offerings that have made the Texas-based company a favorite since it was founded 44 years ago.
more coverage of the potential for a buc-ee’s travel center in mansfield
Mifflin Township trustees approved the annexation March 9 and the Richland County Board of Commissioners voted to “acknowledge” the request on March 10. Madison Township trustees are expected to vote on it Monday, March 16.
If Mansfield lawmakers approve it Tuesday, the request would then go back to county commissioners for final approval. Once that is done, the city must wait 60 days before local lawmakers could make it official under state law.
(Below is a PDF showing legislation Mansfield City Council will consider Tuesday regarding annexation of land that could lead to a new Buc-ee’s Travel Center being built in the city.)
Legislation coming to council also specifies services the city would provide to the annexed land, including sanitary sewer service and potable water service; police services; road/street maintenance and ice/snow removal; stormwater utility maintenance; zoning; fire and EMS services and all other public services and utilities as other portions of the city.
The company would hook into the city’s water and sewer lines, which are on the west side of I-71 near Sites Road.
The company plans to purchase the land once the annexation is complete and the city determines proper zoning for the development.
“Buc-ee’s is excited about our partnership with the City of Mansfield and Richland County,” a Buc-ee’s spokesman said in a statement. “We still have some work to do before closing on the property, but both the city’s and county’s show of support is certainly a huge step in the right direction.”
According to the company website, associates begin work at $18 to 21 per hour. Team leads are paid $21 to $24 per hour while department managers earn between $31 and $33 per hour. An outlet’s assistant general manager is paid $125,000 annually and the general manager receives between $200,000 and $275,000.
Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry said last week it would be a “Type 2” annexation, which leaves the land in the respective townships.
Townships would keep collecting property taxes while the county benefits from increased sales taxes and the city benefits from millions of additional dollars in annual payroll.
“It’s really one of those opportunities that come along all too rarely where it really is a win for everyone at the table,” Perry said.
In other action Tuesday, City Council is scheduled to:
— vote on the administration’s final budget plan for 2026. A temporary plan was approved in December, but a finalized version must be approved by the end of March under state law.
— give a first read to an electricity aggregation plan with the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council.
— vote on the appointment of Ryan Shealy to the Mansfield Public Arts Commission.
— approve reappointments to the Board of Utility Appeals.
— appoint members to the Police Review and Community-Police Relations Commission.
— reappoint members to the Downtown Improvement Advisory Board.
— amend pay ranges, positions and salaries for specified city employees.
— give first read to the administration’s request to spend up to $107,960 on a Cues C550 Camera System from Mtech of Garfield Heights for use by the sewer department.
— give first read to the administration’s request to spend up to $598,534 for a five-year lease for a Super Products Carmel Vac Truck from MTech. The city would pay $119,706.80 for each of the next five years with an option to buy at the end of the lease. The vehicle would be used by the water and sewer departments.
— give first read to a joint maintenance agreement with Madison Township trustees along boundaries between the city and township.
— give first read to the administration’s plan to use an estimated $825,000 in the federal Community Development Block Grant funds and an estimated $325,000 in federal Home Investment Partnership Program funds.
— vote on the requested rezone of five parcels on Possum Run Road to B-2 (general business district) from its current township zoning classification.
— give first read to the administration’s plan for Glessner Avenue infrastructure improvements. The legislation doesn’t include a dollar amount, nor does it specify what the improvements will include. It does say funds will come from the street maintenance and repair account, the community development fund, street resurfacing fund, water fund and sewer fund.
The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a claims committee meeting. A public hearing on the electrical aggregation plan is set for 6:15 p.m., followed by a public affairs committee meeting at 6:30 p.m.
A public hearing on the proposed rezoning is scheduled for 6:45 p.m., followed by a finance committee meeting at 6:55 p.m. Council caucus is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. followed immediately by the legislative session.
(Below is the legislation set to come before Mansfield City Council on Tuesday evening.)