Each civil township is a body politic and corporate, for the purpose of enjoying and exercising the rights and privileges conferred upon it by law. It may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, and receive and hold real estate by devise or deed, or receive and hold personal property for the benefit of the township for any useful purpose. The board of township trustees shall hold such property in trust for the township for the purpose specified in the devise, bequest, or deed of gift. Such board may also receive any conveyance of real estate to the township, when necessary to secure or pay a debt or claim due such township, and may sell and convey real estate so received. The proceeds of such sale shall be applied to the fund to which such debt or claim belonged. The board of township trustees may acquire real property within the unincorporated territory of the township in order to provide needed public improvements to the property pursuant to sections 5709.73 to 5709.75 of the Revised Code. The board of township trustees may enter into contracts with municipal corporations pursuant to section 715.70, 715.71, or 715.72 of the Revised Code to create a joint economic development district.

Whenever the board finds it necessary to determine the value of any real property the township owns or proposes to acquire by purchase, lease, or otherwise, the board may employ for reasonable compensation competent appraisers to advise it of the value of the property or expert witnesses to testify to the value in an appropriation proceeding.

Effective Date: 11-15-1995 .