May 19, 2006

Gibbs, Amstutz Announce Legislation for the

Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District

 Columbus – State Representative Bob Gibbs (R-Lakeville) and state Senator Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster) announced today they intend to introduce legislation that would alter the structure of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District’s Governing Board (MWCD) and modify the proposed assessment to begin in 2007. The legislators cited concerns over the current structure of the board and the assessment proposal as reasons for the legislation.

“Transparency and accountability are key to this proposal; we must ensure that the public interest and safety are being addressed and that the Conservancy Board is accountable for the public funds,” Gibbs said. “Ensuring public safety is the long-term goal of the watershed plan. This proposal will ensure public safety, while also safeguarding public trust.”

The legislation would replace the current Conservancy Court with a Conservancy Board consisting of a combination of county commissioners, county engineers and county auditors. The plan also calls for two ex-officio members of the Ohio General Assembly whose districts are located within the watershed to serve as non-voting members.

In addition, the plan would cap the current assessment proposal at $1 million per year until the newly formed governing board reviews the overall plan and makes any necessary revisions. This would allow critical infrastructure upgrades to move forward as scheduled and allow time for a comprehensive review of the entire project proposal. Currently, the assessment is expected to generate between $12 and $13 million per year.

“Many people in the community had hoped that district officials would refocus the scope of their plan,” Amstutz said. “Unfortunately, it does not appear that will happen without legislative intervention.”                                                                                                                                                   

The proposed legislation would also exempt all property from the assessment that is currently considered tax-exempted, including churches, cemeteries, schools and government property.

 

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For further information please contact Samantha Cowne in Sen. Amstutz’s office

at (614) 466-7505 or Jason Warner in Rep. Gibbs’ office at (614) 466-2994.