By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LIBERTY TWP. - Revenue from a potential joint economic development district (JEDD) could produce $7.3 million to $8 million a year for road and other infrastructure improvements, according to an analysis released Thursday.

Liberty Township wants to form the district with neighboring Mason and Hamilton.

Butler County officials gave the township an analysis identifying three categories of property that could be included in the proposed district. Revenue would be generated over 20 years at a 2 percent earnings tax:

$4.7 million a year from undeveloped commercial land.

$600,000 annually from commercial land already developed.

Just over $2 million from farmland near proposed development areas.

If Liberty opts to include all three categories, it would yield up to $8 million a year, Butler County Commissioner Mike Fox said.

The big sticking point will be precisely where the district is imposed.

Mike Juengling, Butler County's director of development, said the district could be supported only if it's for land that hasn't been developed, not existing businesses.

The final decision is up to Liberty trustees. Trustee Bob Shelley said Thursday evening that he hadn't had time to review the numbers.

While Mr. Fox said he would support whatever decision the township makes, he would recommend making the district as large as possible because it can always be scaled back.

"The existing businesses are going to benefit greatly from the improvements," Mr. Fox said. "There's no reason why they shouldn't share in the cost."

Under the proposal, the township would split revenues with Hamilton and Mason, each getting 25 percent, with Liberty getting the rest to be used for road improvements.

"This is good news because it demonstrates to the state and others we will have the financial capacity to pay for the improvements they will require to form a JEDD," Mr. Fox said.

Under such agreements, earnings taxes from commercial developments and businesses in a prescribed geographical area are used for roads and other infrastructure improvements.

Butler County and Liberty officials are interested in JEDDs because they need money for road improvements.

The improvements will be necessary even if a proposed full interchange in Liberty Township off the Michael A. Fox Highway at Interstate 75 isn't approved, they say.

Combined with tax increment financing in the Cox Road area adjacent to I-75, the money would help to pay for improvements along roads such as Hamilton-Mason and Butler-Warren, county officials say.

In November, Liberty sent Mason leaders a letter of intent to form a JEDD after Warren County Commissioner Larry Crisenbery said he needed one in order to support the interchange.

E-mail jedwards@enquirer.com