SCIO — Following a denied petition to annex a portion of North Township, the village is taking steps in order to move forward with the proceedings that would expand the village by more than 700 acres.

During Wednesday’s meeting, council passed an emergency ordinance that requires homeowners residing outside the village who receive village water and sewer utility services to sign a contract stating they agree to the annexation.

Customers have 30 days, beginning today, to sign and return the agreement to the village of Scio.

Following the meeting, Village Administrator Jason Tubaugh said those who decline to sign may be forced to acquire those utilities elsewhere by installing their own septic system or well for water services.

“If they choose not to sign it, we will no longer provide services to them,” he said. “… That’s your choice, we’re not going to force you to, we’re just telling you we won’t provide you services anymore.”

Tubaugh specified that the agreement is only due back within 30 days, and residents who do not sign will not have their utilities shut off at that time.

He said once the papers are returned, council will then decide what is best for the village and what areas should be included in the petition.

He said the agreements will help keep things “fair” as residents living outside the village are receiving services but not paying the 1 percent village income tax like those inside the village limits.

He added that the tax is lower than surrounding areas such as Cadiz where residents pay 1.5 percent and in Dover it is 2 percent.

Tubaugh said the decision to move forward with the annexation and sign the ordinance will help ensure the financial stability of the village.

“We hope to have a good partnership with everyone in the township — whether it’s residential or commercial — to grow Scio to be a bigger and better place,” he said. “The ordinance basically reinforces the village’s intent to expand.”

The village plans to appeal the Harrison County Board of Commissioners’ recent decision to deny the annexation petition.

Tubaugh said they will submit the appeal to commissioners Oct. 14, where it will go to Common Pleas Court Judge T. Shawn Hervey and then to the appellate courts.

Last week, commissioners were forced to deny the petition due to it not meeting all six requirements of the petition which is required for approval.

Tubaugh said the annexation is in the best interest of residents. He said he “firmly” believes this is the best course of action for residents.

“The annexation process is there to help villages expand. This legislation tonight reassures village residents that we’re not stopping,” he said.

The village is hoping to annex nearly 700 acrease in North Township that belongs to the county, as well as a smaller parcel of land, bringing the annexed land to approximately 730 acres. However, with the village set to include all of its utility customers, it may be a larger piece of land. The expansion would include properties such as the Utica East Ohio Midstream facility and the Conotton Creek Trail.

Tubaugh said the annexation would help the village acquire additional revenue and secure grants funds to benefit needed projects in the village.