Sycamore Township residents will get their first chance to weigh in on a proposed Joint Economic Development District with the City of Reading at a public hearing Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 5 p.m.

The hearing, held by the Board of Trustees at the Township Administration Building, 8540 Kenwood Road, concerns a plan to create a new tax-sharing zone between the township and Reading. According to the township's public legal notice, the proposal includes a schedule for the collection of an income tax within the district.

The specific tax rate has not been publicly released. Neither have the geographic boundaries of the proposed district.

Under Ohio law, a JEDD allows a township and a municipality to levy an income tax in a defined area and share the revenue to fund infrastructure, services or new facilities without requiring annexation. The public hearing is a required step after the contracting parties agree to terms but before either body can vote to approve the contract.

The Reading JEDD would expand Sycamore Township's existing network of economic development partnerships. The township already operates four Joint Economic Development Zones (East, Central, Southwest and Northwest) and two JEDDs with the cities of Deer Park and Montgomery, according to the township's 2025 annual financial report signed by fiscal officer Jonathan T. Deters.

No Sycamore Township trustee or City of Reading official has commented publicly on the proposal. Township officials could not be reached for comment.

The Sept. 1 hearing caps a full afternoon of JEDD and JEDZ board meetings at the same location, according to the township's meeting notice:

  • 3:30 p.m.: Sycamore Township–City of Montgomery JEDD
  • 3:45 p.m.: Sycamore Township–City of Deer Park JEDD
  • 4 p.m.: Northwest JEDZ
  • 4:15 p.m.: Southwest JEDZ
  • 4:30 p.m.: East and Central JEDZ

All meetings are open to the public and will be recorded for later viewing at WatchSycamoreTownship.com.

Under Ohio Revised Code Section 715.72, the full JEDD formation process takes a minimum of 105 days. After the public hearing, the contracting parties must review public input and potentially amend the legislation before each body votes to approve it. No timeline for a final vote has been announced.

Residents who cannot attend may contact the township at 513-791-8447 during office hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.