Westerville City Council and the Blendon Township trustees have approved a joint-economic-development-zone agreement, meaning the matter will go before Blendon Township voters in November.

Westerville City Council approved the measure with a 5-0 vote June 19, with two council members absent. Blendon Township trustees approved the measure 3-0 on June 20.

The joint economic development zone would be a 30-year agreement between the city and the township. Under the agreement, the city would collect its 2-percent income tax on commercial and undeveloped residential properties in Blendon Township. The city would retain 2 percent of the revenues to cover the cost of collection; the zone's administrative board would retain 2 percent for administration; and 10 percent would be dedicated to capital improvements in the township. The remainder would be split between city and township, with 25 percent going to the city and 75 percent going to the township.

Under the agreement, Westerville also would provide economic development services to the township.

Read the full story in the June 28 edition of ThisWeek.