Citizens of Mogadore have been using Akron water for years, paying the Akron rate plus 45 percent. Now, Akron has offered to lower that to Akron rates plus 22½ percent. And in the new world of Joint Economic Development Districts in Ohio, Akron will get a share of Mogadore’s income taxes.

It works like this: If Mogadore annexes land for industrial use and Akron has to extend water lines there, the communities split the income tax 50-50. But for new industrial purposes on existing village land, Akron will get one-third of the income taxes.

One notable piece of available property is the 18-hole Mogadore Country Club, now up for sale. Mogadore Mayor Mike Rick says tax sharing depends on how it’s developed.  Residential use means no tax sharing.

"Since it's already in the existing village limits... if it was developed for housing,  then we would still get all the income tax from people who live there, but if business went in there, then we would get 66 percent and Akron would get 33 1/3 percent of the income tax."

The Mogadore Village council has already approved the deal.
Ironically, Mogadore is home to one of Akron’s water reservoirs.