Ohio Revised Code Title V. Townships § 505.11

(A) Whenever the provisions of division (B) of this section do not apply, and when, in its opinion, the township would be benefited, the board of township trustees may lease township real property to any person upon terms agreed upon by the board and the lessee. Any consideration received from the lease shall be payable, as prescribed in the lease, to the township fiscal officer, who shall give a receipt for the amount received and deposit it in the township general fund.

(B) When, in its opinion, the township would be benefited, the board of township trustees may execute and deliver contracts or leases to mine iron ore, stone, coal, petroleum, gas, salt, and other minerals upon lands owned by the township, to any person complying with the terms prescribed by the board as to consideration, rights of way, and occupancy of ground for necessary purposes. All other matters of contract shall be such as the board considers most advantageous to the township. The contracts or leases shall be forfeited to the township for noncompliance with any of the terms set forth in the contracts or leases, and shall not operate as a conveyance of the fee to any part of the realty. No contract or lease for the drilling or operation of a petroleum or gas well shall be valid for a longer term than forty years from the date of the contract or lease, and no contract or lease for the mining of iron ore, stone, coal, salt, or other minerals shall be valid for a longer term than fifteen years from that date. The consideration for the contracts and leases shall be rental or royalty as is prescribed by the board, and shall be payable, as prescribed in the contract or lease, at least once a year to the township fiscal officer, who shall give a receipt for the amount and deposit it in the township general fund.