As Farmersville looks to celebrate 200 years of history in 2032, it will be facing a ballot challenge to its future.
Following the 2030 U.S. Census, residents of Farmersville will vote on whether to dissolve the Village and become part of Jackson Township. The ballot issue is part of a new state law that requires counties to evaluate villages for services and candidates for elected positions.
There were no candidates for Farmersville’s four open Village Council positions in the November 2025 election.
The law, known as House Bill 331, states, “If the county officials find a village failed to provide services or field candidates… the county officials shall file the finding with the board of elections… The board of elections shall submit the question “Shall the village of (Farmersville) surrender its corporate powers?” Full legislation.
While the ballot issue is required by state law, voters will ultimately decide the future of Farmersville.
Farmersville’s Full Slate of Services
Farmersville Mayor Nick Lamb said in a statement, “House Bill 331 requires villages to offer five core services, a standard Farmersville clearly meets and exceeds. In addition, our Council and staff have long-term planning in place to ensure these services remain funded and high quality.”
“Farmersville is unique among small villages in Ohio in both the scope and quality of services we provide,” he said. “We operate our own water and wastewater treatment plants, and both the infrastructure and staff have been recognized as among the best in the state. In addition to water and sewer, Farmersville provides street maintenance, parks, and public safety services through strong partnerships for police, fire, EMS, and garbage collection.”
“Our goal is to become Ohio’s first 100% lead-free water system. Our Village Administrator, Derek Shell, was named 2025 Public Servant of the Year by the Ohio Rural Water Association.”
Purpose of the State Law
The state law requires a review of villages be conducted every decade after the census. Any village that fails to field a candidate or doesn’t provide enough services will be on the ballot—and could be on future ballots even if voters initially decide to keep their village.
State Representative Rodney Creech, who represents Farmersville and Germantown in Columbus said he supported the bill, but he does see the repercussions for villages that struggle to find candidates for elected positions.
📸 Rep. Creech
“If you check six out of 10 boxes, but you have one empty seat during an election, you automatically qualify. And I think that's a little steep. If you check the boxes for services, more than likely your council is doing a good job,” Creech noted.
“If you're not offering these services, what are you collecting taxes for? That's really what this bill is about. You know, there are some villages that probably should dissolve, but Farmersville sure ain't one of them,” Creech said.
Creech welcomes questions from village officials and from residents and says he is willing to talk to people in the district about this law and its ramifications.
The Future of Farmersville
The Farmersville Village Council is made up of six members. Four Council members’ terms expired in 2025, including Kim Hadley, Eric Craig, Brian Smith and Todd Cunningham.
Although they weren’t on the ballot in November, Craig, Smith and Cunningham were appointed to new terms and sworn in at the January 12 meeting. Hadley left the Council due to medical issues.
Two Council members whose terms expire in 2027, Tom Sears and Joseph Holderman, also remain on Council.
Mayor Nick Lamb said the one seat can remain open until a candidate is identified.
Farmersville Village Council at its December 2025 meeting, hearing from County Commissioner Mary McDonald
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