WARREN — City Council voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve two measures tied to a new economic partnership with Champion.

The main measure creates a Joint Economic Development District, or JEDD, at the site of a Mercy Health facility. This district will help bring in new money through a 2.5% income tax on businesses and workers there. The tax will pay for things like road improvements and other needs in the area.

Council members heard from Michael Keys, the city’s community development director, during a public hearing before the vote. He explained that the JEDD is like a small government for that spot. It will have a board to make decisions on taxes and spending.

“This is all about forming a district that allows for self-governance,” Keys said. “The tax money will go to infrastructure needs and back to the communities.”

Keys said 14% of the tax money goes to running the district, like legal fees. Then 20% goes into a fund for big projects, like widening roads. The rest is divided between Warren and Champion — 45% to Warren and 55% to Champion for the first two-and-a-half years. After that, it’s a 50-50 split.

The second measure lets the city transfer a small piece of land to the Trumbull County Land Bank. This will help Mercy Health fix flooding problems at their urgent care building by adding drainage lines.

Champion trustees also approved their side of the JEDD deal at their meeting Wednesday night.

Mayor Michael O’Brien praised the teamwork. “This is really an important venture for the city,” he said. “I want to commend all those involved.”

The new Mercy Health emergency room is expected to bring 75 jobs to the area. City leaders say the JEDD will help Warren and Champion grow together.

Councilwoman Helen Rucker, D-at Large, urged people to use the urgent care in Warren. “It’s vital to the community,” she said. “Let your constituents know they don’t have to go outside the city.”

No one spoke against the plans during the public hearing. The measures passed as emergencies, meaning they take effect right away.

In other business, council passed a resolution honoring the Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission, the Trumbull County Historical Society and Main Light Electric Company in Warren for starting the Warren Honors Veterans Program.

The program puts up 97 banners in downtown Warren to thank local veterans. The banners will hang from Memorial Day to Veterans Day for two years. After that, families get to keep them, and new ones will go up.

Councilman Michael O’Brien shared how the idea started. He saw similar banners in other towns and worked with the groups to make it happen here. Main Light Electric put them up for free.

“This would not have been possible without their professionalism,” O’Brien said.

Savannah Moss from the Historical Society, Cari Delgado and Chuck Ciapala from the Veterans Service Commission thanked everyone for the teamwork. They said it’s a great way to honor veterans in the community.