COLUMBUS, Ohio - A local state lawmaker is co-sponsoring legislation that would make it easier for large Ohio townships to become cities or municipalities.

State Reps. David Thomas and Adam Mathews say their proposal aims to remove current legal barriers that often require townships to get approval from neighboring cities before they can incorporate. Under current Ohio law, a township generally cannot incorporate if it is located within three miles of an existing municipality unless that municipality provides a signed resolution of approval or the township meets very high population density standards.

The newly proposed bill would eliminate the need for this outside approval. Instead, the decision to transform a township would be left to the voters within that township.

Thomas, a Republican from Jefferson, said the idea came from local government leaders who want more options to serve taxpayers. He noted that the bill helps communities prepare for potential changes to the state property tax system.

Currently, many large townships function like cities by providing full-time police, fire, and road services, but they are limited in how they can collect taxes. Thomas said that when a township can only tax property owners, those residents carry the entire financial burden for services. Incorporation would allow these communities to diversify their tax bases, such as through municipal income taxes, which could reduce the pressure on property owners.

"This legislation would make the decision of transforming a township into a municipality up to the voters of the township, not allowing that choice to be blocked by surrounding cities or villages," Thomas said.

The bill establishes new benchmarks for a township to qualify for incorporation. These standards are based on the population size, the density of the area, and the total value of the property within the proposed boundaries.

Mathews, a Republican from Lebanon, said the bill is designed to maximize government efficiency while allowing residents to protect the character of their communities. He said flexibility allows voters to determine the best structure for their local government.

Thomas is currently serving his first term in the Ohio House. He represents the 65th District, which includes parts of Ashtabula and Trumbull counties. He also serves as the vice chair of the House Ways and Means Committee.