by Laura Freeman
Reporter
Hudson -- The city's legal team could join Summit County in its dispute with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.
The sewer district has proposed implementing fees for those in its jurisdiction, including some northern Summit County residents, to raise $40 million a year to fund sewer and stormwater management projects.
Summit County has challenged the sewer district's authority to implement fees for Summit County residents in Summit County Common Pleas Court.
Hudson City Council could vote Jan. 20 on a joint representation and confidentiality agreement between the city and Summit County, which would allow the city solicitor's office to work as co-counsel with the Summit County Prosecutor office in the complaint.
Council member Hal DeSaussure said the city needs the agreement.
One of the county's complaints is the NEORSD board includes Cuyahoga County representatives but no representatives from Summit County. Hudson City Council member John Jeffers said it was not logical for Cuyahoga County to make decisions for Summit County.
"Cuyahoga County tries to impose jurisdiction over Summit County," Jeffers said. "It's an abomination."
Jeffers said for every dollar from Hudson that goes to NEORSD, 75 percent would be spent elsewhere, and Hudson would receive only 25 percent.
Summit County filed its complaint for declaratory judgment and permanent injunction Dec. 30 in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas. Other plaintiffs include the cities of Hudson, Macedonia and Bath, the villages of Boston Heights and Richfield, and Northfield Center and Sagamore Hills townships.
The NEORSD board adopted its system-wide stormwater management plan Jan. 7. Under the proposed plan, residential property owners, including residents in the northeast quadrant of Hudson, would be billed an average $4.75 per month starting this year.
Just after the Jan. 7 vote, that organization asked the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas to for a declaratory judgment to confirm its authority to implement the plan, according to district spokesperson Jennifer Elting.
No future court dates had been set at press time.
E-mail: lfreeman@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3150