Township’s in Ohio are political subdivisions of the State and were the first form of local governments created in Ohio.  Today, there are 1,308 Townships in Ohio.   Since the adoption of the Ohio Constitution in 1851, the basic form of township government has remained unchanged.  Boards of Township Trustees are composed of three elected trustees and one fiscal officer (each serving a 4 year term).

The duties of the Trustees and Fiscal Officer are proscribed in Chapter 5 of the Ohio Revised Code.   Trustees have legislative and executive functions while the Fiscal Office has responsibilities for financial functions.

TRUSTEE DUTIES

Township roads:  The responsibility to provide and maintain township roads is the largest function of most of Ohio’s townships and includes paving, repairs, snow removal and weed controls.  Townships in Ohio receive a small portion of the states motor vehicle license fees as well as gasoline taxes to help fund the maintenance costs of roads.  Townships in Ohio maintain more than 39,000 miles of roads and streets.

Police protection: a Board of Trustees has the authority to employ police constables and to create police districts. 

Fire protection:  township fire departments can be staffed with full-time, part-time or volunteer firefighters, or any combination of all three.  Ohio law permits townships and municipalities to contract with each other for mutual fire protection and to create fire districts.

Cemeteries:  townships in Ohio manage over 1,800 cemeteries.  Township trustees have authority to sell plots, set fees for services, maintain and expand the cemetery.  Private cemeteries owned by religious or cemetery associations may be transferred to the township.

Parks & Recreation:  Townships may establish and operate parks on their own or by joint action with another political subdivision.  Townships may purchase land and material to improve or acquire park and recreational lands.  A township park district may also be established as a separate political subdivision with its own taxing authority.

Zoning:  Townships may regulate the use of land and buildings and control the development of their own territory. 

Waste Disposal:  Townships are authorized to provide waste disposal services to their residents.

Personnel:  Township trustees can appoint and hire employees as necessary to execute the duties and functions of the Township. 

FISCAL OFFICER DUTIES

Fiscal Officer duties include the management of all financial records, accounts and transactions as well as paying all bills, issuing checks and payroll.  The Fiscal Officer is an independently elected public official with separate duties from the Trustees.