Buc-ee’s takes another step toward Richland County with annexation approval from Madison Twp. Trustees

MADISON TOWNSHIP — The beaver keeps inching closer to Richland County.

Madison Township trustees approved the annexation of 110.757 acres Monday night during their regular meeting at 6 p.m., another step toward bringing a Buc-ee’s travel center to the Interstate 71 and Ohio 39 interchange.

Trustee Dan Fletcher said the proposal uses a “Type 2” annexation, which keeps the land within the township for tax purposes even after it joins the City of Mansfield.

“Madison and Mifflin Township will continue to receive property taxes from the proposed annexed properties until there is no longer a township,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher also pointed to the economic ripple effects the project could bring.

“With 200 new jobs, that would be 200 people employed, and who wouldn’t want to live a stone’s throw away from their place of work?” Fletcher said. “It would benefit the township as far as property values go — I would hope that would happen.”

Fletcher previously called the development “game-changing,” noting township infrastructure could not support a project the size of Buc-ee’s.

Annexation keeps tax revenue flowing to townships

Richland County Commissioner Tony Vero attended the meeting and said the process still sits in its early stages.

“We’re really at the beginning,” Vero said, noting Monday’s vote marked the second step in the annexation process.

He added the annexation would not reduce township tax collections and could increase them if property values rise.

“You’re collecting revenue from the property taxes now,” Vero said. “If property values increase, hopefully you’d expect to see a revenue increase.

“It would be the best of many worlds — for the developer, for the county through sales tax and for the city through income tax,” he added. “It’s a good diversity in the revenue.”

The company plans to connect to Mansfield’s water and sewer lines on the east side of I-71 near Sites Road.

Vero said Buc-ee’s will work closely with the Ohio Department of Transportation to model expected traffic and plan improvements before construction begins.

“They model out the expected traffic and growth beyond that, then determine what traffic improvements will accommodate the flow,” he said.

Vero said the company has already proven to be a strong partner.

“The one thing that has been absolutely true is Buc-ee’s has been great to work with,” Vero said. “They’re very mindful when they come into a community and try to do it with the least amount of impact on neighbors.”

Proposed Buc-ee’s travel center could bring 200 jobs

Plans call for a travel center spanning 70,000 square feet at the interchange, which was engineered by K.E. McCartney & Associates in 1993.

According to the company’s website, Buc-ee’s associates earn between $18 and $21 per hour. Team leads make $21 to $24 per hour, while department managers earn $31 to $33 per hour.

Assistant general managers earn about $125,000 annually, and the general manager earns between $200,000 and $275,000.

“Buc-ee’s is excited about our partnership with the City of Mansfield and Richland County,” a company spokesman said in a statement. “We still have some work to do before closing on the property, but the support from the city and county is a huge step in the right direction.”

The plan also requires 1.781 acres from Mifflin Township into Mansfield.

Mifflin Township trustees approved their portion of the annexation March 9. Mansfield City Council will consider the annexation Tuesday evening.

After council action, the proposal returns to the Richland County commissioners for approval. The city must then wait 60 days before finalizing the annexation.

Buc-ee’s plans to purchase the land after the annexation concludes and Mansfield determines the proper zoning for the development.