To amend sections 715.69, 715.691, 715.70, 715.71, 715.72, 715.74, 715.76, 715.761, and 715.771 and to enact section 715.751 of the Revised Code to require subdivisions to obtain written approval from owners and lessees of real property located within a proposed or existing joint economic development zone (JEDZ) or joint economic development district (JEDD) before approving, amending, or renewing the JEDZ or JEDD contract, to require that income tax revenue derived from a JEDZ or JEDD approved, amended, or renewed after the bill's effective date be used to carry out the JEDZ or JEDD economic development plan before being used for other purposes, and to institute contiguity requirements for which subdivisions may create a JEDZ or JEDD.

Section 1. That sections 715.69, 715.691, 715.70, 715.71, 715.72, 715.74, 715.76, 715.761, and 715.771 be amended and section 715.751 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 715.69.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Contracting party" means a municipal corporation that has entered into a joint economic development zone contract or any party succeeding to such a municipal corporation.

(2) "Contract for utility services" means a contract under which a municipal corporation agrees to provide to another municipal corporation water, sewer, electric, or other utility services necessary to the public health, safety, and welfare.

(3) "Joint economic development zone contract" means a contract described in and entered into under division (B) of this section.

(4) "Zone" means a joint economic development zone designated under this section.

(B)(1) Two or more municipal corporations may enter into a contract whereby they agree to share in the costs of improvements for an area or areas located in one or more of the contracting parties that they designate as a joint economic development zone for the purpose of facilitating new or expanded growth for commercial or economic development in the state. Except as otherwise provided in division (I) of this section, the contract and zone shall meet the requirements of divisions (B) to (H) and (J) of this section.

(2) Each contracting party shall be located in the same county or in a county adjacent to a county in which the territory of the joint economic development zone is located. The territory of each contracting party shall be contiguous to the territory of at least one other contracting party, or contiguous to the territory of a township, municipal corporation, or county that is contiguous to another contracting party, even if the intervening subdivision is not a contracting party. This division does not invalidate any contract approved by all contracting parties under division (E) or (I) of this section before the effective date of ...B.... of the 130th general assembly, but no such contract may be amended or renewed unless the requirements of this division are met.

(C)(1) The contract shall set forth each contracting party's contribution to the joint economic development zone. The contributions may be in any form that the contracting parties agree to, subject to divisions (G) and (I) of this section, and may include, but are not limited to, the provision of services, money, or equipment. The Subject to division (C)(2) of this section, the contract may provide for the contracting parties to distribute among themselves, in the manner they agree to, any municipal income tax revenues derived from the income earned by persons employed by businesses that locate within the zone after it is designated by the contracting parties and from the net profits of such businesses. Except as provided in divisions (G) and (I) of this section, the contract may be amended, renewed, or terminated with the consent of the contracting parties.

(2) Municipal income tax revenues derived from the income earned by persons employed by businesses located within a joint economic development zone and from the net profits of such businesses shall be used for the purposes of carrying out the economic development plan for the zone described in the petitions of support required under division (J) of this section. Any municipal income tax revenue derived from the zone and not appropriated or encumbered for that purpose may be used for the purposes of the contracting parties pursuant to the contract. Division (C)(2) of this section does not apply if the tax was imposed within the zone before the effective date of ...B.... of the 130th general assembly, unless the joint economic development zone contract is amended or renewed after such date.

(D) Before the legislative authority of any of the contracting parties enacts an ordinance approving a contract to designate a joint economic development zone, the legislative authority of each of the contracting parties shall hold a public hearing concerning the contract and zone. Each such legislative authority shall provide at least thirty days' public notice of the time and place of the public hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipal corporation. During the thirty-day period prior to the public hearing, all of the following documents shall be available for public inspection in the office of the clerk of the legislative authority of each of the contracting parties:

(1) A copy of the contract designating the zone;

(2) A description of the area or areas to be included in the zone, including a map in sufficient detail to denote the specific boundaries of the area or areas;

(3) An economic development plan for the zone that includes a schedule for the provision of any new, expanded, or additional services, facilities, or improvements.

A public hearing held under division (D) of this section shall allow for public comment and recommendations on the contract and zone. The contracting parties may include in the contract any of those recommendations prior to approval of the contract.

(E) After the public hearings required under division (D) of this section have been held and, if required under division (J) of this section, the petitions of support have been collected, each contracting party may enact an ordinance approving the contract to designate a joint economic development zone. All such ordinances enacted after the effective date of ...B.... of the 130th general assembly shall include at least the information required to be included in the corresponding petitions of support under division (J) of this section. After each contracting party has enacted such an ordinance, the clerk of the legislative authority of each contracting party shall file with the board of elections of each county within which a contracting party is located a copy of the ordinance approving the contract and shall direct the board of elections to submit the ordinance to the electors of the contracting party on the day of the next general, primary, or special election occurring at least ninety days after the ordinance is filed with the board of elections.

(F) The ballot shall be in the following form:

"Shall the ordinance of the legislative authority of the (city or village) of (name of contracting party) approving the contract with (name of each other contracting party) for the designation of a joint economic development zone be approved?

If a majority of the electors of each contracting party voting on the issue vote for the ordinance and contract, the ordinance shall become effective immediately and the contract shall go into effect immediately or in accordance with its terms.

(G) If two or more contracting parties previously have entered into a separate contract for utility services, then amendment, renewal, or termination of the separate contract for utility services shall not constitute a part of the consideration for a joint economic development zone contract unless the legislative authority of each contracting party determines all of the following:

(1) That the creation of the joint economic development zone will facilitate new or expanded growth for commercial or economic development in this state;

(2) That substantial consideration exists to support the joint economic development zone contract;

(3) That the contracting parties are entering into the joint economic development zone contract freely and without duress or coercion related to the amendment, renewal, or termination of the separate contract for utility services.

(H) A joint economic development zone contract that does not satisfy division (G) of this section is void and unenforceable. If the joint economic development zone contract provides for the extension of utility service or the provision of utility service at a lower rate than is currently in effect, any action claiming duress or coercion relating to a joint economic development zone contract may be brought only by a contracting party, and must be brought before the contracting parties enter into the joint economic development zone contract. The signing of the joint economic development zone contract as authorized by the contracting parties is conclusive evidence as to the determinations set forth under division (G) of this section.

(I) If one of the contracting parties is an impacted city as defined in division (C) of section 1728.01 of the Revised Code, then divisions (D) to (F) of this section shall not apply to the joint economic development zone contract or to the joint economic development zone to which that contract relates unless the contracting parties agree that those divisions shall apply.

(J) The legislative authority of any municipal corporation in which all or part of a joint economic development zone would be located may not approve, amend, or renew a contract under this section after the effective date of ...B.... of the 130th general assembly without first obtaining signed petitions of support from all owners and lessees of real property located within the joint economic development zone. The petition shall include the rate of any municipal income tax that may be levied within the zone and a description of how revenue from that tax will be utilized. The petition also shall incorporate in entirety the information included in the documents described in divisions (D)(1), (2), and (3) of this section.

Sec. 715.691.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Contracting party" means a municipal corporation that has entered into a joint economic development zone contract or any party succeeding to the municipal corporation, or a township that entered into a joint economic development zone contract with a municipal corporation.

(2) "Zone" means a joint economic development zone designated under this section.

(B)(1) This section provides alternative procedures and requirements for creating and operating a joint economic development zone to those set forth in section 715.69 of the Revised Code. This section applies only if one of the contracting parties to the zone does not levy a municipal income tax under Chapter 718. of the Revised Code. A municipal corporation that does not levy a municipal income tax may enter into an agreement to create and operate a joint economic development zone under this section or under section 715.69 of the Revised Code.

(2) Two or more municipal corporations or one or more townships and one or more municipal corporations may enter into a contract whereby they agree to share in the costs of improvements for an area or areas located in one or more of the contracting parties that they designate as a joint economic development zone for the purpose of facilitating new or expanded growth for commercial or economic development in the state. The contract and zone shall meet the requirements of divisions (B) to (J)(K) of this section.

(3) Each contracting party shall be located in the same county or in a county adjacent to a county in which the territory of the joint economic development zone is located. The territory of each contracting party shall be contiguous to the territory of at least one other contracting party, or contiguous to the territory of a township, municipal corporation, or county that is contiguous to another contracting party, even if the intervening subdivision is not a contracting party. This division does not invalidate any contract approved by all contracting parties under division (E) of this section before the effective date of ...B.... of the 130th general assembly, but no such contract may be amended or renewed unless the requirements of this division are met.

(C) The contract shall set forth each contracting party's contribution to the joint economic development zone. The contributions may be in any form that the contracting parties agree to, and may include, but are not limited to, the provision of services, money, or equipment. The contract may be amended, renewed, or terminated with the consent of the contracting parties. The contract shall continue in existence throughout the term it specifies and shall be binding on the contracting parties and on any entities succeeding to the contracting parties.

(D) Before the legislative authority of any of the contracting parties enacts an ordinance or resolution approving a contract to designate a joint economic development zone, the legislative authority of each of the contracting parties shall hold a public hearing concerning the contract and zone. Each legislative authority shall provide at least thirty days' public notice of the time and place of the public hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipal corporation or township. During the thirty-day period prior to the public hearing, all of the following documents shall be available for public inspection in the office of the clerk of the legislative authority of a municipal corporation that is a contracting party and in the office of the fiscal officer of a township that is a contracting party:

(1) A copy of the contract designating the zone;

(2) A description of the area or areas to be included in the zone, including a map in sufficient detail to denote the specific boundaries of the area or areas;

(3) An economic development plan for the zone that includes a schedule for the provision of any new, expanded, or additional services, facilities, or improvements.

A public hearing held under division (D) of this section shall allow for public comment and recommendations on the contract and zone. The contracting parties may include in the contract any of those recommendations prior to approval of the contract.

(E) After the public hearings required under division (D) of this section have been held and, if required under division (K) of this section, the petitions of support have been collected, each contracting party may enact an ordinance or resolution approving the contract to designate a joint economic development zone. All such ordinances and resolutions enacted after the effective date of ...B.... of the 130th general assembly shall include at least the information required to be included in the corresponding petitions of support under division (K) of this section. After each contracting party has enacted an ordinance or resolution, the clerk of the legislative authority of a municipal corporation that is a contracting party and the fiscal officer of a township that is a contracting party shall file with the board of elections of each county within which a contracting party is located a copy of the ordinance or resolution approving the contract and shall direct the board of elections to submit the ordinance or resolution to the electors of the contracting party on the day of the next general, primary, or special election occurring at least ninety days after the ordinance or resolution is filed with the board of elections. If any of the contracting parties is a township, however, then only the township or townships shall submit the resolution to the electors.

(F)(1) If a vote is required to approve a municipal corporation as a contracting party to a joint economic development zone under this section, the ballot shall be in the following form:

"Shall the ordinance of the legislative authority of the (city or village) of (name of contracting party) approving the contract with (name of each other contracting party) for the designation of a joint economic development zone be approved?

(2) If a vote is required to approve a township as a contracting party to a joint economic development zone under this section, the ballot shall be in the following form:

"Shall the resolution of the board of township trustees of the township of (name of contracting party) approving the contract with (name of each other contracting party) for the designation of a joint economic development zone be approved?

If a majority of the electors of each contracting party voting on the issue vote for the ordinance or resolution and contract, the ordinance or resolution shall become effective immediately and the contract shall go into effect immediately or in accordance with its terms.

(G)(1) A board of directors shall govern each joint economic development zone created under section 715.691 of the Revised Code. The members of the board shall be appointed as provided in the contract. Each of the contracting parties shall appoint three members to the board. Terms for each member shall be for two years, each term ending on the same day of the month of the year as did the term that it succeeds. A member may be reappointed to the board.

(2) Membership on the board is not the holding of a public office or employment within the meaning of any section of the Revised Code or any charter provision prohibiting the holding of other public office or employment. Membership on the board is not a direct or indirect interest in a contract or expenditure of money by a municipal corporation, township, county, or other political subdivision with which a member may be affiliated. Notwithstanding any provision of law or a charter to the contrary, no member of the board shall forfeit or be disqualified from holding any public office or employment by reason of membership on the board.

(3) The board is a public body for the purposes of section 121.22 of the Revised Code. Chapter 2744. of the Revised Code applies to the board and the zone.

(H) The contract may grant to the board of directors appointed under division (G) of this section the power to adopt a resolution to levy an income tax within the zone. The Revenue from the income tax shall be used for the purpose of carrying out the economic development plan for the zone described in the petitions of support required under division (K) of this section. Any municipal income tax revenue derived from the zone and not appropriated or encumbered for that purpose may be used for the purposes of the contracting parties pursuant to the contract. If the tax was imposed within the zone before the effective date of ....B.... of the 130th general assembly, if no subdivision has been added to the joint economic development zone contract since that date, and if the contract has not been amended or renewed since that date, the revenue from the income tax shall be used for the purposes of the zone and for the purposes of the contracting parties pursuant to the contract. The income tax may be levied in the zone based on income earned by persons working within the zone and on the net profits of businesses located in the zone. The income tax is subject to Chapter 718. of the Revised Code, except that a vote shall be required by the electors residing in the zone to approve the rate of income tax unless a majority of the electors residing within the zone, as determined by the total number of votes cast in the zone for the office of governor at the most recent general election for that office, submit a petition to the board requesting that the election provided for in division (H)(1) of this section not be held. If no electors reside within the zone, then division (H)(3) of this section applies. The rate of the income tax shall be no higher than the highest rate being levied by a municipal corporation that is a party to the contract.

(1) The board of directors may levy an income tax at a rate that is not higher than the highest rate being levied by a municipal corporation that is a party to the contract, provided that the rate of the income tax is first submitted to and approved by the electors of the zone at the succeeding regular or primary election, or a special election called by the board, occurring subsequent to ninety days after a certified copy of the resolution levying the income tax and calling for the election is filed with the board of elections. If the voters approve the levy of the income tax, the income tax shall be in force for the full period of the contract establishing the zone. No election shall be held under this section if a majority of the electors residing within the zone, determined as specified in division (H) of this section, submit a petition to that effect to the board of directors. Any increase in the rate of an income tax by the board of directors shall be approved by a vote of the electors of the zone and shall be in force for the remaining period of the contract establishing the zone.

(2) Whenever a zone is located in the territory of more than one contracting party, a majority vote of the electors in each of the several portions of the territory of the contracting parties constituting the zone approving the levy of the tax is required before it may be imposed under division (H) of this section.

(3) If no electors reside in the zone, no election for the approval or rejection of an income tax shall be held under this section, provided that where no electors reside in the zone, the rate of the income tax shall be no higher than the highest rate being levied by a municipal corporation that is a party to the contract.

(4) The board of directors of a zone levying an income tax shall enter into an agreement with one of the municipal corporations that is a party to the contract to administer, collect, and enforce the income tax on behalf of the zone.

(5) The board of directors of a zone shall publish or post public notice within the zone of any resolution adopted levying an income tax in the same manner required of municipal corporations under sections 731.21 and 731.25 of the Revised Code.

(I)(1) If for any reason a contracting party reverts to or has its boundaries changed so that it is classified as a township that is the entity succeeding to that contracting party, the township is considered to be a municipal corporation for the purposes of the contract for the full period of the contract establishing the joint economic development zone, except that if that contracting party is administering, collecting, and enforcing the income tax on behalf of the district as provided in division (H)(4) of this section, the contract shall be amended to allow one of the other contracting parties to administer, collect, and enforce that tax.

(2) Notwithstanding any other section of the Revised Code, if there is any change in the boundaries of a township so that a municipal corporation once located within the township is no longer so located, the township shall remain in existence even though its remaining unincorporated area contains less than twenty-two square miles, if the township has been or becomes a party to a contract creating a joint economic development zone under this section or the contract creating that joint economic development zone under this section is terminated or repudiated for any reason by any party or person. The township shall continue its existing status in all respects, including having the same form of government and the same elected board of trustees as its governing body. The township shall continue to receive all of its tax levies and sources of income as a township in accordance with any section of the Revised Code, whether the levies and sources of income generate millage within the ten-mill limitation or in excess of the ten-mill limitation. The name of the township may be changed to the name of the contracting party appearing in the contract creating a joint economic development zone under this section, so long as the name does not conflict with any other name in the state that has been certified by the secretary of state. The township shall have all of the powers set out in sections 715.79, 715.80, and 715.81 of the Revised Code.

(J) If, after creating and operating a joint economic development zone under this section, a contracting party that did not levy a municipal income tax under Chapter 718. of the Revised Code levies such a tax, the tax shall not apply to the zone for the full period of the contract establishing the zone, if the board of directors of the zone has levied an income tax as provided in division (H) of this section.

(K) The legislative authority of any subdivision in which all or part of a zone would be located may not approve, amend, renew, or add a new subdivision to a contract under this section after the effective date of ....B.... of the 130th general assembly without first obtaining signed petitions of support from all owners and lessees of real property located within the joint economic development zone. The petition shall include the rate of any municipal income tax that may be levied within the zone and a description of how the revenue from that tax will be utilized. The petition also shall incorporate in entirety the information included in the documents described in divisions (D)(1), (2), and (3) of this section.

Sec. 715.70.  (A) This section and section 715.71 of the Revised Code apply only to:

(1) Municipal corporations and townships within a county that has adopted a charter under Sections 3 and 4 of Article X, Ohio Constitution;

(2) Municipal corporations and townships that have created a joint economic development district comprised entirely of real property owned by a municipal corporation at the time the district was created under this section. The real property owned by the municipal corporation shall include an airport owned by the municipal corporation and located entirely beyond the municipal corporation's corporate boundary.

(3) Municipal corporations or townships that are part of or contiguous to a transportation improvement district created under Chapter 5540. of the Revised Code and that have created a joint economic development district under this section or section 715.71 of the Revised Code prior to November 15, 1995;

(4) Municipal corporations that have previously entered into a contract creating a joint economic development district pursuant to division (A)(2) of this section, even if the territory to be included in the district does not meet the requirements of that division.

(B)(1)(a) One or more municipal corporations and one or more townships may enter into a contract approved by the legislative authority of each contracting party pursuant to which they create as a joint economic development district an area or areas for the purpose of facilitating economic development to create or preserve jobs and employment opportunities and to improve the economic welfare of the people in the state and in the area of the contracting parties. A municipal corporation described in division (A)(4) of this section may enter into a contract with other municipal corporations and townships to create a new joint economic development district. In a district that includes a municipal corporation described in division (A)(4) of this section, the

(b) Each contracting party shall be located in the same county or in a county adjacent to a county in which the territory of the joint economic development district is located. The territory of each of the contracting parties shall be contiguous to the territory of at least one other contracting party, or contiguous to the territory of a township or municipal corporation that is contiguous to another contracting party, even if the intervening township or municipal corporation is not a contracting party. The Division (B)(2)(b) of this section does not invalidate any contract approved by resolution of the legislative authority of each county in which a contracting party is located, in accordance with division (C)(2) of this section, before the effective date of ....B.... of the 130th general assembly, but no such contract may be amended or renewed unless the requirements of division (B)(2)(b) of this section are met.

(c) The area or areas of land to be included in the district shall not include any parcel of land owned in fee by a municipal corporation or a township or parcel of land that is leased to a municipal corporation or a township, unless the municipal corporation or township is a party to the contract or unless the municipal corporation or township has given its consent to have its parcel of land included in the district by the adoption of a resolution. As used in this division, "parcel of land" means any parcel of land owned by a municipal corporation or a township for at least a six-month period within a five-year period prior to the creation of a district, but "parcel of land" does not include streets or public ways and sewer, water, and other utility lines whether owned in fee or otherwise.

(d) The district created shall be located within the territory of one or more of the participating parties and may consist of all or a portion of such territory. The boundaries of the district shall be described in the contract or in an addendum to the contract.

(2) Prior to the public hearing to be held pursuant to division (D)(2) of this section, the participating parties shall give a copy of the proposed contract to each municipal corporation located within one-quarter mile of the proposed joint economic development district and not otherwise a party to the contract, and afford the municipal corporation the reasonable opportunity, for a period of thirty days following receipt of the proposed contract, to make comments and suggestions to the participating parties regarding elements contained in the proposed contract.

(3) The district shall not exceed two thousand acres in area. The territory of the district shall not completely surround territory that is not included within the boundaries of the district.

(4) Sections 503.07 to 503.12 of the Revised Code do not apply to territory included within a district created pursuant to this section as long as the contract creating the district is in effect, unless the legislative authority of each municipal corporation and the board of township trustees of each township included in the district consent, by ordinance or resolution, to the application of those sections of the Revised Code.

(5) Upon the execution of the contract creating the district by the parties to the contract, a participating municipal corporation or township included within the district shall file a copy of the fully executed contract with the county recorder of each county within which a party to the contract is located, in the miscellaneous records of the county. No annexation proceeding pursuant to Chapter 709. of the Revised Code that proposes the annexation to, merger, or consolidation with a municipal corporation of any unincorporated territory within the district shall be commenced for a period of three years after the contract is filed with the county recorder of each county within which a party to the contract is located unless each board of township trustees whose territory is included, in whole or part, within the district and the territory proposed to be annexed, merged, or consolidated adopts a resolution consenting to the commencement of the proceeding and a copy of the resolution is filed with the legislative authority of each county within which a party to the contract is located or unless the contract is terminated during this period.

The contract entered into between the municipal corporations and townships pursuant to this section may provide for the prohibition of any annexation by the participating municipal corporations of any unincorporated territory within the district beyond the three-year mandatory prohibition of any annexation provided for in division (B)(5) of this section.

(C)(1) After the legislative authority of a municipal corporation and the board of township trustees have adopted an ordinance and resolution approving a contract to create a joint economic development district pursuant to this section, and after a contract has been signed, the municipal corporations and townships shall jointly file a petition with the legislative authority of each county within which a party to the contract is located.

(a) The petition shall contain all of the following:

(i) A statement that the area or areas of the district is not greater than two thousand acres and is located within the territory of one or more of the contracting parties;

(ii) A brief summary of the services to be provided by each party to the contract or a reference to the portion of the contract describing those services;

(iii) A description of the area or areas to be designated as the district;

(iv) The signature of a representative of each of the contracting parties.

(b) The following documents shall be filed with the petition:

(i) A signed copy of the contract, together with copies of district maps and plans related to or part of the contract;

(ii) A certified copy of the ordinances and resolutions of the contracting parties approving the contract;

(iii) A certificate from each of the contracting parties indicating that the public hearings required by division (D)(2) of this section have been held, the date of the hearings, and evidence of publication of the notice of the hearings;

(iv) One or more signed statements of persons who are owners of property located in whole or in part within the area to be designated as the district, requesting that the property be included within the district, provided that those statements shall represent a majority of the persons owning property located in whole or in part within the district and persons owning a majority of the acreage located within the district. A signature may be withdrawn by the signer up to but not after the time of the public hearing required by division (D)(2) of this section A certified copy of the petition of support described in division (L) of this section.

(2) The legislative authority of each county within which a party to the contract is located shall adopt a resolution approving the petition for the creation of the district if the petition and other documents have been filed in accordance with the requirements of division (C)(1) of this section. If the petition and other documents do not substantially meet the requirements of that division, the legislative authority of any county within which a party to the contract is located may adopt a resolution disapproving the petition for the creation of the district. The legislative authority of each county within which a party to the contract is located shall adopt a resolution approving or disapproving the petition within thirty days after the petition was filed. If the legislative authority of each such county does not adopt the resolution within the thirty-day period, the petition shall be deemed approved and the contract shall go into effect immediately after that approval or at such other time as the contract specifies.

(D)(1) The contract creating the district shall set forth or provide for the amount or nature of the contribution of each municipal corporation and township to the development and operation of the district and may provide for the sharing of the costs of the operation of and improvements for the district. The contributions may be in any form to which the contracting municipal corporations and townships agree and may include but are not limited to the provision of services, money, real or personal property, facilities, or equipment. The contract may provide for the contracting parties to share revenue from taxes levied on property by one or more of the contracting parties if those revenues may lawfully be applied to that purpose under the legislation by which those taxes are levied. The contract shall provide for new, expanded, or additional services, facilities, or improvements, including expanded or additional capacity for or other enhancement of existing services, facilities, or improvements, provided that those services, facilities, or improvements, or expanded or additional capacity for or enhancement of existing services, facilities, or improvements, required herein have been provided within the two-year period prior to the execution of the contract.

(2) Before the legislative authority of a municipal corporation or a board of township trustees passes any ordinance or resolution approving a contract to create a joint economic development district pursuant to this section, the legislative authority of the municipal corporation and the board of township trustees shall each hold a public hearing concerning the joint economic development district contract and shall provide thirty days' public notice of the time and place of the public hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipal corporation and the township. The board of township trustees may provide additional notice to township residents in accordance with section 9.03 of the Revised Code, and any additional notice shall include the public hearing announcement; a summary of the terms of the contract; a statement that the entire text of the contract and district maps and plans are on file for public examination in the office of the township fiscal officer; and information pertaining to any tax changes that will or may occur as a result of the contract.

During the thirty-day period prior to the public hearing, a copy of the text of the contract together with copies of district maps and plans related to or part of the contract shall be on file, for public examination, in the offices of the clerk of the legislative authority of the municipal corporation and of the township fiscal officer. The public hearing provided for in division (D)(2) of this section shall allow for public comment and recommendations from the public on the proposed contract. The contracting parties may include in the contract any of those recommendations prior to the approval of the contract.

(3) Any resolution of the board of township trustees that approves a contract that creates a joint economic development district pursuant to this section shall be subject to a referendum of the electors of the township. When a referendum petition, signed by ten per cent of the number of electors in the township who voted for the office of governor at the most recent general election for the office of governor, is presented to the board of township trustees within thirty days after the board of township trustees adopted the resolution, ordering that the resolution be submitted to the electors of the township for their approval or rejection, the board of township trustees shall, after ten days and not later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the election, certify the text of the resolution to the board of elections. The board of elections shall submit the resolution to the electors of the township for their approval or rejection at the next general, primary, or special election occurring subsequent to ninety days after the certifying of the petition to the board of elections.

(4) Upon the creation of a district under this section or section 715.71 of the Revised Code, one of the contracting parties shall file a copy of the following with the director of development:

(a) The petition and other documents described in division (C)(1) of this section, if the district is created under this section;

(b) The documents described in division (D) of section 715.71 of the Revised Code, if the district is created under this section.

(E) The district created by the contract shall be governed by a board of directors that shall be established by or pursuant to the contract. The board is a public body for the purposes of section 121.22 of the Revised Code. The provisions of Chapter 2744. of the Revised Code apply to the board and the district. The members of the board shall be appointed as provided in the contract from among the elected members of the legislative authorities and the elected chief executive officers of the contracting parties, provided that there shall be at least two members appointed from each of the contracting parties.

(F) The contract shall enumerate the specific powers, duties, and functions of the board of directors of a district, and the contract shall provide for the determination of procedures that are to govern the board of directors. The contract may grant to the board the power to adopt a resolution to levy an income tax within the district. The income tax shall be used for the purposes of carrying out the economic development plan for the district described in the petitions of support required under division (L) of this section. Any income tax revenue derived from the district and not appropriated or encumbered for that purpose may be used for the purposes of the contracting municipal corporations and townships pursuant to the contract. If the petition for the creation of the joint economic development district is approved by resolution of the legislative authority of each county in which a contracting party is located before the effective date of ...B.... of the 130th general assembly and the joint economic development district contract has not been renewed or amended after that date, the income tax shall be used for the purposes of the district and for the purposes of the contracting municipal corporations and townships pursuant to the contract. The

The income tax may be levied in the district based on income earned by persons working or residing within the district and based on the net profits of businesses located in the district. The income tax shall follow the provisions of Chapter 718. of the Revised Code, except that a vote shall be required by the electors residing in the district to approve the rate of income tax. If no electors reside within the district, then division (F)(4) of this section applies. The rate of the income tax shall be no higher than the highest rate being levied by a municipal corporation that is a party to the contract and, if applicable, no higher than the rate specified in the petitions of support under division (L) of this section.

(1) Within one hundred eighty days after the first meeting of the board of directors, the board may levy an income tax, provided that the rate of the income tax is first submitted to and approved by the electors of the district at the succeeding regular or primary election, or a special election called by the board, occurring subsequent to ninety days after a certified copy of the resolution levying the income tax and calling for the election is filed with the board of elections. If the voters approve the levy of the income tax, the income tax shall be in force for the full period of the contract establishing the district. Any increase in the rate of an income tax that was first levied within one hundred eighty days after the first meeting of the board of directors shall be approved by a vote of the electors of the district, shall be in force for the remaining period of the contract establishing the district, and shall not be subject to division (F)(2) of this section.

(2) Any resolution of the board of directors levying an income tax that is adopted subsequent to one hundred eighty days after the first meeting of the board of directors shall be subject to a referendum as provided in division (F)(2) of this section. Any resolution of the board of directors levying an income tax that is adopted subsequent to one hundred eighty days after the first meeting of the board of directors shall be subject to an initiative proceeding to amend or repeal the resolution levying the income tax as provided in division (F)(2) of this section. When a referendum petition, signed by ten per cent of the number of electors in the district who voted for the office of governor at the most recent general election for the office of governor, is filed with the county auditor of each county within which a party to the contract is located within thirty days after the resolution is adopted by the board or when an initiative petition, signed by ten per cent of the number of electors in the district who voted for the office of governor at the most recent general election for the office of governor, is filed with the county auditor of each such county ordering that a resolution to amend or repeal a prior resolution levying an income tax be submitted to the electors within the district for their approval or rejection, the county auditor of each such county, after ten days and not later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the election, shall certify the text of the resolution to the board of elections of that county. The county auditor of each such county shall retain the petition. The board of elections shall submit the resolution to such electors, for their approval or rejection, at the next general, primary, or special election occurring subsequent to ninety days after the certifying of such petition to the board of elections.

(3) Whenever a district is located in the territory of more than one contracting party, a majority vote of the electors, if any, in each of the several portions of the territory of the contracting parties constituting the district approving the levy of the tax is required before it may be imposed pursuant to this division.

(4) If there are no electors residing in the district, no election for the approval or rejection of an income tax shall be held pursuant to this section, provided that where no electors reside in the district, the maximum rate of the income tax that may be levied shall not exceed one per cent.

(5) The board of directors of a district levying an income tax shall enter into an agreement with one of the municipal corporations that is a party to the contract to administer, collect, and enforce the income tax on behalf of the district. The resolution levying the income tax shall provide the same credits, if any, to residents of the district for income taxes paid to other such districts or municipal corporations where the residents work, as credits provided to residents of the municipal corporation administering the income tax.

(6)(a) The board shall publish or post public notice within the district of any resolution adopted levying an income tax in the same manner required of municipal corporations under sections 731.21 and 731.25 of the Revised Code.

(b) Except as otherwise specified by this division, any referendum or initiative proceeding within a district shall be conducted in the same manner as is required for such proceedings within a municipal corporation pursuant to sections 731.28 to 731.40 of the Revised Code.

(G) Membership on the board of directors does not constitute the holding of a public office or employment within the meaning of any section of the Revised Code or any charter provision prohibiting the holding of other public office or employment, and shall not constitute an interest, either direct or indirect, in a contract or expenditure of money by any municipal corporation, township, county, or other political subdivision with which the member may be connected. No member of a board of directors shall be disqualified from holding any public office or employment, nor shall such member forfeit or be disqualified from holding any such office or employment, by reason of the member's membership on the board of directors, notwithstanding any law or charter provision to the contrary.

(H) The powers and authorizations granted pursuant to this section or section 715.71 of the Revised Code are in addition to and not in derogation of all other powers granted to municipal corporations and townships pursuant to law. When exercising a power or performing a function or duty under a contract authorized pursuant to this section or section 715.71 of the Revised Code, a municipal corporation may exercise all of the powers of a municipal corporation, and may perform all the functions and duties of a municipal corporation, within the district, pursuant to and to the extent consistent with the contract. When exercising a power or performing a function or duty under a contract authorized pursuant to this section or section 715.71 of the Revised Code, a township may exercise all of the powers of a township, and may perform all the functions and duties of a township, within the district, pursuant to and to the extent consistent with the contract. The district board of directors has no powers except those specifically set forth in the contract as agreed to by the participating parties. No political subdivision shall authorize or grant any tax exemption pursuant to Chapter 1728. or section 3735.67, 5709.62, 5709.63, or 5709.632 of the Revised Code on any property located within the district without the consent of the contracting parties. The prohibition for any tax exemption pursuant to this division shall not apply to any exemption filed, pending, or approved, or for which an agreement has been entered into, before the effective date of the contract entered into by the parties.

(I) Municipal corporations and townships may enter into binding agreements pursuant to a contract authorized under this section or section 715.71 of the Revised Code with respect to the substance and administration of zoning and other land use regulations, building codes, public permanent improvements, and other regulatory and proprietary matters that are determined, pursuant to the contract, to be for a public purpose and to be desirable with respect to the operation of the district or to facilitate new or expanded economic development in the state or the district, provided that no contract shall exempt the territory within the district from the procedures and processes of land use regulation applicable pursuant to municipal corporation, township, and county regulations, including but not limited to procedures and processes concerning zoning.

(J) A contract entered into pursuant to this section or section 715.71 of the Revised Code may be amended and it may be renewed, canceled, or terminated as provided in or pursuant to the contract. The contract may be amended to add property owned by one of the contracting parties to the district, or may be amended to delete property from the district whether or not one of the contracting parties owns the deleted property. The contract shall continue in existence throughout its term and shall be binding on the contracting parties and on any entities succeeding to such parties, whether by annexation, merger, or otherwise. The income tax levied by the board pursuant to this section or section 715.71 of the Revised Code shall apply in the entire district throughout the term of the contract, notwithstanding that all or a portion of the district becomes subject to annexation, merger, or incorporation. No township or municipal corporation is divested of its rights or obligations under the contract because of annexation, merger, or succession of interests.

(K) After the creation of a joint economic development district described in division (A)(2) of this section, a municipal corporation that is a contracting party may cease to own property included in the district, but such property shall continue to be included in the district and subject to the terms of the contract.

(L) The legislative authority of a subdivision in which all or part of a joint economic development district would be located may not approve, amend, or renew a contract under this section or section 715.71 of the Revised Code after the effective date of ...B.... of the 130th general assembly without first obtaining signed petitions of support from all owners and lessees of real property located within the joint economic development district. The petition shall include all of the following:

(1) The rate of any municipal income tax that may be levied within the district;

(2) A description of how revenue from that tax will be utilized;

(3) A copy of the contract designating the district;

(4) A description of the area or areas to be included in the district, including a map in sufficient detail to denote the specific boundaries of the area or areas;

(5) An economic development plan for the district that includes a schedule for the provision of any new, expanded, or additional services, facilities, or improvements.

(M) Any ordinance or resolution adopted by the legislative authority of a municipal corporation or a board of township trustees to approve, amend, or renew a contract under this section or section 715.71 of the Revised Code after the effective date of ...B.... of the 130th general assembly shall include at least the information delineated in divisions (L)(1) to (5) of this section.

Sec. 715.71.  (A) This section provides alternative procedures and requirements to those set forth in section 715.70 of the Revised Code for creating and operating a joint economic development district. Divisions (B), (C), (D)(1) to (3), and (F) of section 715.70 of the Revised Code do not apply to a joint economic development district established under this section. However, divisions (A), (D)(4), (E), (G), (H), (I), (J), and (K), (L), and (M) of section 715.70 of the Revised Code do apply to a district established under this section.

(B)(1) One or more municipal corporations and one or more townships may enter into a contract approved by the legislative authority of each contracting party pursuant to which they create as a joint economic development district one or more areas for the purpose of facilitating economic development to create or preserve jobs and employment opportunities and to improve the economic welfare of the people in this state and in the area of the contracting parties. The district created shall be located within the territory of one or more of the contracting parties and may consist of all or a portion of that territory. The boundaries of the district shall be described in the contract or in an addendum to the contract. The area or areas of land to be included in the district shall not include any parcel of land owned in fee by or leased to a municipal corporation or township, unless the municipal corporation or township is a party to the contract or has given its consent to have its parcel of land included in the district by the adoption of a resolution. As used in this division, "parcel of land" has the same meaning as in division (B) of section 715.70 of the Revised Code.

(2) Each contracting party shall be located in the same county or in a county adjacent to a county in which the territory of the joint economic development district is located. The territory of each of the contracting parties shall be contiguous to the territory of at least one other contracting party, or contiguous to the territory of a township or municipal corporation that is contiguous to another contracting party, even if the intervening township or municipal corporation is not a contracting party. Division (B)(2) of this section does not invalidate any joint economic development district contract for which a petition was approved by resolution of the legislative authority of each county in which a contracting party is located, in accordance with division (E) of this section, before the effective date of ...B.... of the 130th general assembly, but no such contract may be amended or renewed unless the requirements prescribed by division (B)(2) of this section are met.

(C) Before the legislative authority of a municipal corporation or a board of township trustees adopts an ordinance or resolution approving a contract to create a joint economic development district under this section, it shall hold a public hearing concerning the joint economic development district contract and shall provide thirty days' public notice of the time and place of the public hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipal corporation and the township. Each municipal corporation and township that is a party to the contract shall hold a public hearing. During the thirty-day period prior to a public hearing, a copy of the text of the contract together with copies of district maps and plans related to or part of the contract shall be on file, for public examination, in the offices of the clerk of the legislative authority of the municipal corporation and of the township fiscal officer. The public hearings provided for in this division shall allow for public comment and recommendations on the proposed contract. The participating parties may include in the contract any of those recommendations prior to approval of the contract.

(D) After the legislative authority of a municipal corporation and the board of township trustees have adopted an ordinance and resolution approving a contract to create a joint economic development district, the municipal corporation and the township jointly shall file with the legislative authority of each county within which a party to the contract is located all of the following:

(1) A signed copy of the contract, together with copies of district maps and plans related to or part of the contract;

(2) Certified copies of the ordinances and resolutions of the contracting parties relating to the district and the contract;

(3) A certificate of each of the contracting parties that the public hearings provided for in division (C) of this section have been held, the date of the hearings, and evidence of publication of the notice of the hearings;

(4) A certified copy of the petition of support described under division (L) of section 715.70 of the Revised Code.

(E) Within thirty days after the filing under division (D) of this section, the legislative authority of each county within which a party to the contract is located shall adopt a resolution acknowledging the receipt of the required documents, approving the creation of the joint economic development district, and directing that the resolution of the board of township trustees approving the contract be submitted to the electors of the township for approval at the next succeeding general, primary, or special election. The legislative authority of the county shall file with the board of elections at least ninety days before the day of the election a copy of the resolution of the board of township trustees approving the contract. The resolution of the legislative authority of the county also shall specify the date the election is to be held and shall direct the board of elections to conduct the election in the township. If the resolution of the legislative authority of the county is not adopted within the thirty-day period after the filing under division (D) of this section, the joint economic development district shall be deemed approved by the county legislative authority, and the board of township trustees shall file its resolution with the board of elections for submission to the electors of the township for approval at the next succeeding general, primary, or special election. The filing shall occur at least ninety days before the specified date the election is to be held and shall direct the board of elections to conduct the election in the township.

The ballot shall be in the following form:

"Shall the resolution of the board of township trustees approving the contract with ............... (here insert name of each municipal corporation and other township that is a party to the contract) for the creation of a joint economic development district be approved?

If a majority of the electors of the township voting on the issue vote for the resolution and contract, the resolution shall become effective immediately and the contract shall go into effect immediately or in accordance with its terms.

(F) The contract creating the district shall set forth or provide for the amount or nature of the contribution of each municipal corporation and township to the development and operation of the district and may provide for the sharing of the costs of the operation of and improvements for the district. The contributions may be in any form to which the contracting municipal corporations and townships agree and may include but are not limited to the provision of services, money, real or personal property, facilities, or equipment. The contract may provide for the contracting parties to share revenue from taxes levied on property by one or more of the contracting parties if those revenues may lawfully be applied to that purpose under the legislation by which those taxes are levied. The contract shall provide for new, expanded, or additional services, facilities, or improvements, including expanded or additional capacity for or other enhancement of existing services, facilities, or improvements, provided that the existing services, facilities, or improvements, or the expanded or additional capacity for or enhancement of the existing services, facilities, or improvements, have been provided within the two-year period prior to the execution of the contract.

(G) The contract shall enumerate the specific powers, duties, and functions of the board of directors of the district and shall provide for the determination of procedures that are to govern the board of directors. The contract may grant to the board the power to adopt a resolution to levy an income tax within the district. The income tax shall be used for the purposes of carrying out the economic development plan for the district described in the petitions of support required under division (L) of section 715.70 of the Revised Code. Any tax revenue derived from the district and not appropriated or encumbered for that purpose may be used for the purposes of the contracting parties pursuant to the contract. If the petition for the creation of the joint economic development district is approved by resolution of the legislative authority of each county in which a contracting party is located before the effective date of ...B.... of the 130th general assembly and the joint economic development district contract has not been renewed or amended after that date, the income tax shall be used for the purposes of the district and for the purposes of the contracting municipal corporations and townships pursuant to the contract. The

The income tax may be levied in the district based on income earned by persons working or residing within the district and based on the net profits of businesses located in the district. The income tax of the district shall follow the provisions of Chapter 718. of the Revised Code, except that no vote shall be required by the electors residing in the district. The rate of the income tax shall be no higher than the highest rate being levied by a municipal corporation that is a party to the contract and, if applicable, no higher than the rate specified in the petitions of support required under division (L) of section 715.70 of the Revised Code.

The board of directors of a district levying an income tax shall enter into an agreement with one of the municipal corporations that is a party to the contract to administer, collect, and enforce the income tax on behalf of the district. The resolution levying the income tax shall provide the same credits, if any, to residents of the district for income taxes paid to other districts or municipal corporations where the residents work, as credits provided to residents of the municipal corporation administering the income tax.

(H) No annexation proceeding pursuant to Chapter 709. of the Revised Code that proposes the annexation to or merger or consolidation with a municipal corporation, except a municipal corporation that is a party to the contract, of any unincorporated territory within the district shall be commenced for a period of three years after the contract is filed with the legislative authority of each county within which a party to the contract is located in accordance with division (D) of this section unless each board of township trustees whose territory is included, in whole or part, within the district and the territory proposed to be annexed, merged, or consolidated adopts a resolution consenting to the commencement of the proceeding and a copy of the resolution is filed with the legislative authority of each such county or unless the contract is terminated during this three-year period. The contract entered into between the municipal corporations and townships pursuant to this section may provide for the prohibition of any annexation by the participating municipal corporations of any unincorporated territory within the district.

Sec. 715.72.  (A) As used in sections 715.72 to 715.81 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Contracting parties" means one or more municipal corporations, one or more townships, and, under division (D) of this section, one or more counties that have entered into a contract under this section to create a joint economic development district.

(2) "District" means a joint economic development district created under sections 715.72 to 715.81 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Contract for utility services" means a contract under which a municipal corporation agrees to provide to a township or another municipal corporation water, sewer, electric, or other utility services necessary to the public health, safety, and welfare.

(B) Sections 715.72 to 715.81 of the Revised Code provide alternative procedures and requirements to those set forth in sections 715.70 and 715.71 of the Revised Code for creating and operating a joint economic development district. Sections 715.72 to 715.81 of the Revised Code apply to municipal corporations and townships that are located in the same county or in adjacent counties.

(C) One or more municipal corporations, one or more townships, and, under division (D) of this section, one or more counties may enter into a contract pursuant to which they create as a joint economic development district one or more areas for the purpose of facilitating economic development to create or preserve jobs and employment opportunities and to improve the economic welfare of the people in this state and in the area of the contracting parties.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(2) of this section, the The territory of each of the contracting parties shall be contiguous to the territory of at least one other contracting party, or contiguous to the territory of a township, municipal corporation, or county that is contiguous to another contracting party, even if the intervening township or municipal corporation is not a contracting party.

(2) Contracting parties that have entered into a contract under section 715.70 or 715.71 of the Revised Code creating a joint economic development district prior to November 15, 1995, may enter into a contract under this section even if the territory of each of the contracting parties is not contiguous to the territory of at least one other contracting party, or contiguous to the territory of a township or municipal corporation that is contiguous to another contracting party as otherwise required under division Division (C)(1) of this section. The contract and district shall meet the requirements of sections 715.72 to 715.81 of the Revised Code does not invalidate any joint economic development district contract approved by ordinance or resolution of all contracting parties under section 715.76 of the Revised Code before the effective date of ...B.... of the 130th general assembly, but no such contract may be amended or renewed unless the requirements of division (C)(1) of this section are met.

(D) If, on or after the effective date of this amendment December 30, 2008, but on or before June 30, 2009, one or more municipal corporations and one or more townships enter into a contract or amend an existing contract under this section, one or more counties in which all of those municipal corporations or townships are located also may enter into the contract as a contracting party or parties.

Sec. 715.74.  (A) The contract creating a joint economic development district shall provide for the amount or nature of the contribution of each contracting party to the development and operation of the district and may provide for the sharing of the costs of the operation of and improvements for the district. The contributions may be in any form to which the contracting parties agree and may include, but are not limited to, the provision of services, money, real or personal property, facilities, or equipment. The contract may provide for the contracting parties to share revenue from taxes levied by one or more of the contracting parties, if those revenues may lawfully be applied to that purpose under the legislation by which those taxes are levied. The contract shall specify and provide for new, expanded, or additional services, facilities, or improvements. The contract may provide for expanded or additional capacity for or other enhancement of existing services, facilities, or improvements.

(B) The contract shall enumerate the specific powers, duties, and functions of the board of directors of the district described under section 715.78 of the Revised Code and shall provide for the determination of procedures that are to govern the board.

(C)(1) The contract may grant to the board the power to adopt a resolution to levy an income tax within the district and the contract may designate certain portions of the district where such an income tax may be levied. The income tax shall be used for the purpose of carrying out the economic development plan for the district described in the petitions of support required under section 715.751 of the Revised Code. Any tax revenue derived from the district and not appropriated or encumbered for that purpose may be used for the purposes of the contracting parties pursuant to the contract. If the contracting parties approved the joint economic development district contract before the effective date of ...B.... of the 130th general assembly and the contract has not been renewed or amended after that date, the income tax shall be used for the purposes of the district or any portion of the district in which the contract authorizes an income tax and for the purposes of the contracting parties pursuant to the contract. The income tax may be levied in the district based on income earned by persons working within the district and based on the net profits of businesses located in the district, but the income of an individual who resides in the district shall not be subject to such income tax unless the income is received for personal services performed in the district. The income tax of the district shall follow the provisions of Chapter 718. of the Revised Code, except that no vote shall be required. The rate of the income tax shall be no higher than the highest rate being levied by a municipal corporation that is a contracting party and, if applicable, no higher than the rate specified in the petition of support under section 715.751 of the Revised Code.

(2) If the board adopts a resolution to levy an income tax, it shall enter into an agreement with a municipal corporation that is a contracting party to administer, collect, and enforce the income tax on behalf of the district.

(3) A resolution levying an income tax under this section shall require the contracting parties to annually set aside a percentage, to be stated in the resolution, of the amount of the income tax collected for the long-term maintenance of the district.

(4) An income tax levied under this section shall apply in the district or any portion of the district in which the contract authorizes an income tax throughout the term of the contract creating the district, notwithstanding that all or a portion of the district becomes subject to annexation, merger, or consolidation.

(D) The contract creating a joint economic development district shall continue in existence throughout its term and shall be binding on the contracting parties and on any parties succeeding to the contracting parties, whether by annexation, merger, or consolidation. Except as provided in division (E) of this section, the contract may be amended, renewed, or terminated with the approval of the contracting parties or any parties succeeding to the contracting parties. If the contract is amended to add area to an existing district, the amendment shall be adopted in the manner prescribed under section 715.761 of the Revised Code.

(E) If two or more contracting parties previously have entered into a separate contract for utility services, then amendment, renewal, or termination of the separate contract for utility services shall not constitute any part of the consideration for the contract creating a joint economic development district. A contract creating a joint economic development district shall be rebuttably presumed to violate this division if it is entered into within two years prior or five years subsequent to the amendment, renewal, or termination of a separate contract for utility services that two or more contracting parties previously have entered into. The presumption stated in this division may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence of both of the following:

(1) That other substantial consideration existed to support the contract creating a joint economic development district;

(2) That the contracting parties entered into the contract creating a joint economic development district freely and without duress or coercion related to the amendment, renewal, or termination of the separate contract for utility services.

(F) A contract creating a joint economic development district that violates division (E) of this section is void and unenforceable.

Sec. 715.751. The legislative authority of a subdivision in which all or part of a joint economic development district would be located may not approve, amend, or renew a contract under sections 715.72 to 715.81 of the Revised Code after the effective date of ...B.... of the 130th general assembly without first obtaining signed petitions of support from all owners and lessees of real property located within the district. The petition shall include all of the following:

(A) The rate of any municipal income tax that may be levied within the district;

(B) A description of how revenue from that tax will be utilized;

(C) A copy of the contract designating the district;

(D) A description of the area or areas to be included in the district, including a map in sufficient detail to denote the specific boundaries of the area or areas;

(E) An economic development plan for the district that includes a schedule for the provision of any new, expanded, or additional services, facilities, or improvements.

Sec. 715.76.  After the public hearings required under section 715.75 of the Revised Code have been held and, if required under section 715.751 of the Revised Code, the petitions of support have been collected, each contracting party may adopt an ordinance or resolution approving the contract to create a joint economic development district. All such ordinances and resolutions adopted or enacted after the effective date of ...B.... of the 130th general assembly shall include at least the information required to be included in the corresponding petitions of support under section 715.751 of the Revised Code. After each contracting party has adopted an ordinance or resolution, the contracting parties jointly shall file with the legislative authority of each county within which a contracting party is located all of the following documents:

(A) A signed copy of the contract;

(B) A description of the area or areas to be included in the district, including a map in sufficient detail to denote the specific boundaries of the area or areas and to indicate any zoning restrictions applicable to the area or areas;

(C) The economic development plan described in division (C) of section 715.75 of the Revised Code;

(D) Certified copies of the ordinances and resolutions of the contracting parties relating to the contract and district;

(E) A certificate of each contracting party that the public hearings required by section 715.75 of the Revised Code have been held, the date of the hearings, and evidence of publication of the notice of the hearings;

(F) A petition signed by a majority of the owners of property located within the area or areas to be included in the district;

(G) A petition signed by a majority of the owners of businesses, if any, located within the area or areas to be included in the district.

The petitions described in divisions (F) and (G) of this section shall specify that all of the documents described in divisions (A) to (C) of section 715.75 of the Revised Code are available for public inspection in the office of the clerk of the legislative authority of each municipal corporation and county that is a contracting party or the office of the fiscal officer of each township that is a contracting party A certified copy of the petition of support required under section 715.751 of the Revised Code.

The legislative authority of a county that is a contracting party under division (D) of section 715.72 of the Revised Code is entitled to all of the documents described in divisions (A) to (G)(F) of this section as if the county were not a contracting party.

Not later than ten days after all of the documents described in divisions (A) to (G) of this section have been filed, each contracting party shall give notice to those owners of property within the area or areas to be included in the district who did not sign the petition described in division (F) of this section and whose property is located within the boundaries of that contracting party and to those owners of businesses, if any, within the area or areas to be included in the district who did not sign the petition described in division (G) of this section and whose property is located within the boundaries of that contracting party. Notice shall be given by certified mail and shall specify that the owners of property and businesses are located within the area or areas to be included in the district and that all of the documents described in divisions (A) to (C) of section 715.75 of the Revised Code are available for public inspection in the office of the clerk of the legislative authority of each municipal corporation and county that is a contracting party or the office of the fiscal officer of each township that is a contracting party. The contracting parties shall equally bear the cost of providing notice under this section.

If the contracting parties do not file all of the documents described in divisions (A) to (G)(F) of this section, the legislative authority of a county that is not a contracting party within which a contracting party is located may adopt a resolution disapproving the creation of the joint economic development district. In addition, the legislative authority of the county may adopt a resolution disapproving the creation of the district if it determines, in written findings of fact, that each contracting party did not enter into the contract freely and without duress or coercion.

Sec. 715.761.  (A) The contracting parties may amend the contract to add to a joint economic development district any area that was not originally included in the district when the contract took effect. Area may be added only if the area satisfies the criteria prescribed under section 715.73 of the Revised Code.

(B) An amendment adding area to a district shall be approved by a resolution or ordinance adopted by each of the contracting parties. The contracting parties shall conduct public hearings on the amendment, provide notice, obtain signed petitions of support from all owners and lessees of real property located within the proposed district in accordance with section 715.751 of the Revised Code, and deliver a copy of the amendment to the legislative authority of the county in which the added area is located in the manner required under section 715.75 of the Revised Code for original contracts. The legislative authority of a county that is a contracting party under division (D) of section 715.72 of the Revised Code is entitled to a copy of the amendment as if the county were not a contracting party. The contracting parties shall make available for public inspection a copy of the amendment, a description of the area to be added to the district, and a map of that area in sufficient detail to denote the specific boundaries of the area and to indicate any zoning restrictions applicable to the area.

(C) After adopting resolutions or ordinances approving the addition of the area, the contracting parties jointly shall file with the legislative authority of the county in which the added area is located the documents required to be filed under section 715.76 of the Revised Code, except that:

(1) A copy of the amendment to the contract shall be filed in lieu of a copy of the contract.

(2) The description and map shall be of the area to be added instead of the entire area of the district.

(3) The economic development plan need not be filed.

(4) Certified copies of the resolutions and ordinances approving the amendment shall be filed.

(5) The certificates otherwise required under division (E) of section 715.76 of the Revised Code shall certify that the hearings required under division (B) of this section have been held, shall indicate the date of those hearings, and shall include evidence that notice of the hearings was published.

(6) The petition otherwise required under division (F) of section 715.76 of the Revised Code shall be signed by a majority of the owners of property located in the area to be added to the district, the petition otherwise required under division (G) of that section shall be signed by a majority of the owners of businesses, if any, located in the area to be added to the district, and the petitions shall specify that the documents described in division (B) of this section are available for public inspection as otherwise required under section 715.75 of the Revised Code.

(D) The resolution of a board of township trustees approving an amendment adding area to an existing joint economic development district is not required to be submitted to the electors of the township.

Sec. 715.771.  Upon the creation of a joint economic development district under section 715.72 of the Revised Code, one of the contracting parties shall file a copy of each of the documents described in divisions (A) to (G)(F) of section 715.76 of the Revised Code with the director of development.

Section 2. That existing sections 715.69, 715.691, 715.70, 715.71, 715.72, 715.74, 715.76, 715.761, and 715.771 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.