Mahoning Valley - If a township is large enough, it can become a city; however, it first needs about 20% of the people who voted in the last governor's election to sign a petition. After that, the township must certify that it meets the required square mileage and population density.

According to Ohio Revised Code Section 707.29, a township must have a minimum population of 25,000 residents to be designated as a city. If a township does not meet this population requirement, it must either become a village first or merge with another township to achieve village status.

Boardman Township Administrator, Jason Loree, said that transitioning from a township to a city takes a lot of time and money.

"We [would] have to certify that we have enough square miles, enough population per square mil

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