CANFIELD — With the recent passage of House Bill 665, officials at the Canfield Fairgrounds will have to pay their share of fees to the ABC Stormwater District.

The bill has passed the Ohio House and Senate and is awaiting a signature from Gov. Mike DeWine.

The bill originally contained language that would have exempted the Canfield Fair Board of Directors from having to pay fees to the ABC Stormwater District, which Boardman Township Administrator Jason Loree said would have made the fair the only one in the state exempt.

Once the bill reached the Senate, however, amendments were made that now require the fairgrounds to pay its fees — which are about $17,000 annually.

“It was a good win for the stormwater district and the residents of both communities,” Loree said, referring to Canfield and Boardman townships.

Canfield Township generates between $240,000 and $260,000 for the district, while Boardman brings in around $1.1 million. Austintown is reimbursed for stormwater improvements completed.

Money collected in each community stays within that community.

The Canfield Fairgrounds includes 2.7 million square feet of impervious surface, Loree previously said, which equates to 563 houses.

Fees are calculated by the amount of impervious surface, which includes parking lots, driveways and buildings.

Canfield and Boardman are impacted by water runoff in the Indian Run watershed, which then flows into Mill Creek Park.

Loree and Canfield Township Administrator Keith Rogers went to Columbus to testify against that language in the bill, Loree said.

“It was really written just for the fairgrounds,” Loree said.

“I feel good we were able to go down there and plead our case,” Loree said, adding that the Senate Agricultural Committee is largely comprised of farmers who have dealt with issues caused by flooding.

Rogers handled a large portion of fact and data collecting so that if during testimony the district were asked a question, Rogers and Loree had the answer.

“We dug into everything… I dug more into the overall damage during and after storm events coming from flooding from the fairgrounds into the watershed,” Rogers said.

He took photos after large rain events as evidence.

Once the senators were shown photos of flooding and letters from residents as well as the Mahoning County commissioners, Rogers said the district seemed to be supported.

Since Canfield Township collects approximately a quarter of a million dollars from the district, the $17,000 will go toward several large projects that are in the planning stages, Rogers said.

Rogers echoed Loree’s statement, saying the amendment “is a win for the area.”

Members of the fair board and fairgrounds managers could not be reached for comment.

afox@tribtoday.com