ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP — St. Clair Township trustees Robert Swickard, James Sabatini II and Jordan Williams saw 2025 as a productive year for the township as multiple improvements or repairs were made throughout the township.

The completion of the Midland Fredericktown Road Slip Repair led the list of projects. Trustees were able to complete the project with an Ohio Public Works Commission grant and assistance from the Columbiana County commissioners and engineer to help them obtain the funding to pay the project cost of $861,853.

“The Midland Fredericktown Road Slip Repair was a true team effort, made possible by the Ohio Public Works Commission, the Columbiana County commissioners, and the [Columbiana] County Engineer’s Office,” Williams said. “This project resolved a major safety concern, allowing residents and visitors to travel the road with confidence. Midland Fredericktown Road is heavily used by out-of-state visitors who shop, dine, and do business in our township. This repair also supports our local economy. We sincerely thank the county engineer and commissioners for their partnership and commitment to public safety.”

New streetlights installed on Calcutta Smith Ferry Road to state Route 1, East Liverpool Road within the township, state Route 170 and intersecting road was another huge project. The old lights were replaced with luminaries on 40-foot-tall poles. The project, which cost $640,432.45, was funded by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Columbiana County engineer, STIP dollars, and preservation and safety funds.

“Upgrading 18 existing street poles and adding 57 new LED streetlights along state Route 170 was an important step in improving safety and visibility for our residents and visitors,” Sabatini said. “This project was made possible through the collaboration and support of the ODOT, Columbiana County commissioners and the Columbiana County engineer. Their partnership was invaluable in helping St. Clair Township enhance our roadways and provide a safer, brighter environment for the community.”

The township also completed chip and seal on 4.05 miles of roadway, which is an increase from the 3.7 miles they were able to do in 2024. The project came with a $162,479.29 price tag. The township received a grant from the Columbiana County engineer to cover $22,418.96 of the cost.

Line striping with a double yellow line at a cost of $11,893.77 was completed on 13.23 miles of township roadways.

The trustees negotiated an electric aggregation agreement with Dynegy Energy for a 29-month term which began in December at a rate of $0.0929/kWh for generation supplier services. Residents who do not want to participate are able to opt out anytime.

Other accomplishments cited by the trustees include receiving a grant to upgrade the lighting in the township government building to energy efficient lighting, expanding the footprint of the community park and blighted structures removed by the Columbiana County land bank.

The township has had no major staffing changes during the year. The road department maintained four full-time and one part-time employees, and the police department has 13 full-time officers.

Trustees view the property tax reform initiatives in the state as the biggest obstacle for the township going into 2026.

Swickard noted that as state lawmakers work to provide property owners with relief from rising property tax bills, the township will be closely monitoring the developments so they can keep residents informed and ensure essential services remain protective while they explore options to maintain them.

“We understand our residents’ concerns about rising property taxes, and relief is needed. At the same time, townships in Ohio are funded almost entirely through property taxes, which support essential services such as road maintenance, fire protection, and public safety/police protection,” Swickard said. “While there are many unknowns regarding potential reforms, we are carefully assessing their impacts to ensure we continue providing the same level of service our community depends on. Any changes could require adjustments in funding, and we are committed to exploring all options responsibly to protect both our residents and the vital services they rely on.”

Fiscal Officer Deborah Dawson noted that rising cybersecurity threats to local governments are going to be a challenge as local governments in Ohio face increasing risks from business emails being compromised, phishing, ransomware ware and social engineering schemes, all of which could cause a disruption in day-to-day operations and critical services.

“Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. At St. Clair Township, we all play a role in protecting our systems and data. By following the guidance and resources provided by the Ohio Auditor of State, we are taking proactive steps to identify potential threats, implement strong safeguards, and ensure that every employee and official knows how to recognize and respond to risks,” Dawson said. “Staying vigilant and informed is essential to maintaining the integrity and security of our township operations.”

Dawson also sees the sustaining of the township’s chip and seal program while trying to increase the number of miles to be completed as a challenge due to the material costs and lack of a road levy. She noted that the proposed miles of roadway to be in 2026 is 4.65 miles, .6 miles more than 2025.

Dawson said there will be no notable cuts or changes to the budget in 2026 and the 2025 year-end carry-over balances for all funds are on target to sustain expenses moving into 2026.

The township’s goals for 2026 include increasing the milage for chip and seal and line striping, completing a parking lot for the community park and economic development growth on McGuffey and Columbia Drive.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com