Public Handouts in Miami Township

Here is an exceptional example of how generously developers are treated by Miami Township Trustees:

The Greycliff subdivision (currently under construction on State Route 131) requires the installation of a turn lane; the cost of which is no less than $300,000. This cost would normally be paid for by the developer. However, our trustees are so generous with our tax dollars that they (we) are paying half of that expense ($150,000) with no repayment required from the developer (a gift). The trustees are also financing the additional $150,000 through a bond issue and will let the developer pay back the amount to them over time. It should be noted that the township received much more favorable terms than the developer ever could. Do you think the Trustees would finance loans for residents? Absolutely not!

Widening of this section of St. Rt. 131 is not even mentioned in the County’s Thoroughfare Plan except as a “project or concepts that are part of a visionary plan.” What was the impetus for the township to fund this project?

Do you want to know how much time was spent on discussing this issue by the trustees at their meeting? Zero. In case you missed it it was listed something like "$300,000 issuance of debt." The trustees did not discuss it - just rubberstamped it. That's all folks!

This is just one example where the Trustees appear to be scratching the back of a developer. I just wonder in how many other situations this is occurring? If Miami Township was such a desirable place to live, it would not be handing out public subsidies for residential development or any other development for that matter. People would be beating the doors down to build and operate here without handouts.

Just as a side note, during the approval process the developer stated that the homes in this development were going to be priced at $400,000 to $600,000, however, the sign out front says ‘from $270,000.’ There goes the neighborhood!

Pop Quiz: Can you identify all three Miami Township Trustees?