Plaintiff accuses local government board of violating Ohio’s Open Meetings Act

In a legal battle over zoning and transparency, One Energy Enterprises, Inc. took the Board of Allen Township Trustees to court, accusing them of violating Ohio’s Open Meetings Act. The complaint was filed by One Energy on January 26, 2024, in the Hancock County Common Pleas Court against the Board of Allen Township Trustees. The case revolves around allegations that the Board conducted deliberations in private meetings and failed to provide adequate public notice for their decisions regarding zoning matters.

The conflict began when One Energy planned to construct wind turbines in Allen Township, Hancock County, Ohio, with intentions to supply power to a local Whirlpool manufacturing facility. This sparked community interest and concern about zoning regulations. In December 2023, One Energy petitioned for renaming a township road to “Electric Avenue,” which led to further disputes when the Board opposed this move without holding an open meeting. The crux of One Energy’s lawsuit is that the Board violated R.C. 121.22 by not conducting all deliberations publicly and failing to prepare timely minutes or adopt proper notice rules.

One Energy’s complaint sought declaratory relief and compliance with the Open Meetings Act rather than statutory damages or attorney fees. They demanded that actions taken during non-public discussions be invalidated, particularly concerning zoning resolutions passed on April 2, 2024. Despite some claims being rejected by the trial court—such as sufficient notice for special meetings—the court found merit in others. It determined that the Board improperly opposed road renaming without an open discussion and engaged in nonpublic gatherings about zoning commission qualifications.

The trial court’s final judgment on December 30, 2024, resulted in affirming certain violations while dismissing others due to lack of evidence or causation between nonpublic deliberations and official actions taken later. Both parties appealed these decisions: One Energy sought broader injunctive relief against using any criteria discussed privately for zoning commission selection; meanwhile, the Board contested findings related to post-meeting discussions and prospective injunctions.

Representing One Energy were attorneys from Zeiger Tigges & Little LLP led by Marion H. Little Jr., while Teresa L. Grigsby from Spengler Nathanson P.L.L handled defense for Allen Township Trustees before Judges Juergen A Waldick (presiding), William R Zimmerman & John R Willamowski under Case ID Nos: 5-25-02/03.