(This story was updated to add comments from Columbus Zoo and Aquarium CEO Tom Schmid.)
With the threat of a ban on ticket fees looming, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine helped to broker a deal between the Columbus Zoo and Liberty Township to pay for emergency services.
After meeting with DeWine, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium agreed to pay Liberty Township $2,750 per EMS run for the next five years, according to a material terms of agreement signed June 24 and shared with the statehouse bureau.
The agreement is expected to resolve an ongoing legal battle over a 75-cent fee that Liberty Township tried to impose on Columbus Zoo and Aquarium tickets. The fee became the subject of a lawsuit, and judges had sided with the township so far.
Ohio lawmakers waded into that fight June 10 when they banned townships from charging fees on tickets for local entertainment venues. “Everyone who visits the Columbus Zoo got a tax cut last week in our latest budget corrections bill,” state Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, wrote on X about the change.
With that bill on his desk, DeWine brought officials from the zoo and Liberty Township together last week to resolve their dispute. The governor didn’t signal whether he would sign or veto the ticket fee language during that meeting.
“I thought that they could, and should, settle this,” DeWine told the statehouse bureau. “I thought it was in the best interest of the people who attend the zoo, frankly, for them to have an agreement of how they’re going to handle EMS going forward.”
With that fight resolved, DeWine signed the ban on townships imposing ticket fees into law.
“It was clear that the Legislature did not want this to spread, these types of disputes to spread out,” DeWine said.
The change, which will take effect in 90 days, will also affect Anderson Township, which charges a $1 fee on Riverbend Music Center tickets. But that would be mitigated by the construction of the Farmer Music Center, also known as “Riverbend 2.0,” in the city of Cincinnati, making it not subject to Anderson Township’s fee.
A Liberty Township spokesperson expressed gratitude to DeWine for “bringing the zoo to the table and helping both sides come to an agreement.””Liberty Township has always been proud to have a world-class zoo in our backyard,” spokesperson Ryan Stubenruach said. “With the zoo’s agreement to help pay for some of the fire and EMS costs that come with such a large venue, it should be a win for both sides.”
Columbus Zoo President and CEO Tom Schmid thanked DeWine and state lawmakers “for recognizing the vital role nonprofit organizations play in our communities and for repealing this tax.”
“The focus of the Columbus Zoo’s work continues to be educating children, saving wildlife, serving our community and supporting our dedicated team members,” Schmid said in a statement. “We would like to thank our community partners and look forward to growing our $500 million annual economic impact for our local communities and the state of Ohio.”
State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@usatodayco.com or @jbalmert on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: DeWine helps broker deal with Columbus Zoo, township over ticket fee
Reporting by Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
