Ohio Township Handbook ______
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OHIO TOWNSHIP HANDBOOK ____________________________________ March 2019 Dear Township Official: Public service is both an honor and challenge. In the current environment, service at the local level may be more challenging than ever before. This handbook is one small way my office seeks to assist you in meeting that challenge. To that end, this handbook is designed to be updated easily to ensure you have the latest information at your fingertips. Please feel free to forward questions, concerns or suggestions to my office so that the information we provide is accurate, timely and relevant. Of course, a manual of this nature is not to be confused with legal advice. Should you have concerns or questions of a legal nature, please consult your statutory legal counsel, the county prosecutor’s office or your private legal counsel, as appropriate. I understand the importance of local government and want to make sure we are serving you in ways that meet your needs and further our shared goals. If my office can be of further assistance, please let us know. I look forward to working with you as we face the unique challenges before us and deliver on our promises to the great citizens of Ohio. Thank you for your service. Sincerely, Keith Faber Auditor of State 88 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 Phone: 614-466-4514 or 800-282-0370 www.ohioauditor.gov March 2019 Revisions Page(s) Section i-iii Table of Contents vi-vii Table of Contents A-2 Section A - Township Officers and Employees A-15 Section A - Township Officers and Employees A-22 Section A - Township Officers and Employees A-32 Section A - Township Officers and Employees A-41 Section A - Township Officers and Employees D-2 Section D - Administration and Finance D-13 Section D - Administration and Finance D-33 - D-34 Section D - Administration and Finance D-61 - D-63 Section D - Administration and Finance I-1 - I-61 Section I - Fire and Ambulance Services L-9 Section L - Police Protection Entire Appendix I Appendix I Appendix II Table of Contents Appendix II II-5 Appendix II II-7 Appendix II II-112 Appendix II Entire Appendix V Appendix V TABLE OF CONTENTS CALENDAR FOR TOWNSHIP OFFICERS AND FISCAL OFFICER ............................. 1 SECTIONS: A. TOWNSHIP OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES I. Township Officers Generally .............................................................................. A-1 Qualifications for Office ............................................................................. A-1 Nomination and Election ............................................................................ A-2 Term of Office ............................................................................................ A-3 Certificate of Election ................................................................................. A-3 Oath of Office ............................................................................................. A-3 Giving Bond ................................................................................................ A-4 Approving the Bond .................................................................................... A-5 Filing Bond ................................................................................................. A-6 Vacancy in Township Office ...................................................................... A-6 Illegal Interest in Public Contracts .............................................................. A-10 Insurance as Compensation......................................................................... A-12 Waiver of Compensation… ........................................................................ A-14 II. Township Trustees ................................................................................................ A-15 Compensation of Trustees........................................................................... A-15 Definition of Budget ................................................................................... A-15 What Constitutes A Day's Work ................................................................. A-16 What Work Is Compensable ....................................................................... A-17 Method of Payment ..................................................................................... A-17 Attendance at Meetings .............................................................................. A-20 Expenses of Trustees .................................................................................. A-21 Township Website ...................................................................................... A-22 Training Requirements…............................................................................ A-23 III. Township Fiscal Officer ....................................................................................... A-24 Training of Fiscal Officer… ....................................................................... A-24 Removal of Fiscal Officer… ....................................................................... A-24 Duties Of Fiscal Officer .............................................................................. A-25 Keep the Minutes ................................................................................. A-25 Issuance of Warrants ............................................................................ A-26 Preparation of the Annual Financial Report ......................................... A-27 Accounting Records ............................................................................. A-28 Miscellaneous Duties ........................................................................... A-29 Deputy Fiscal Officer .................................................................................. A-30 Assistant Fiscal Officer ............................................................................... A-31 Compensation of Fiscal Officer .................................................................. A-32 When Trustees May Determine Compensation .................................... A-32 Other Compensation ............................................................................. A-33 Compensation of Fiscal Officer Appointed To Fill Vacancy ............... A-34 Expenditure: A Paying Out Of Money ................................................ A-34 Expenses Of Fiscal Officer ................................................................... A-34 Fiscal Officer As A Township Employee ............................................ A-36 Certified Public Records Training Requirements… ............................. A-36 i TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED) IV. Employees Of A Township ............................................................................... A-37 Unionization ................................................................................................ A-37 Non-Union or Public Employees - General Provisions Not Covered By A Collective Bargaining Agreement .................................................. A-40 Qualifications ....................................................................................... A-40 Mode of Employment ........................................................................... A-40 Rate of Pay ........................................................................................... A-40 Hours of Employment .......................................................................... A-43 Vacation, Sick Leave, and Holidays ........................................................... A-44 Retirement ................................................................................................... A-46 Insurance ..................................................................................................... A-49 Other Benefits… ......................................................................................... A-54 Health and Wellness Benefit Program… ............................................. A-54 Deferred Compensation Plans .............................................................. A-54 Workers' Compensation .............................................................................. A-54 Township Attorney ..................................................................................... A-55 Township Administrator ............................................................................. A-56 Volunteers as Employees ............................................................................ A-57 B. LAND USE CONTROL I. Township Zoning .............................................................................................. B-1 Initiation of Zoning ..................................................................................... B-1 Zoning Commission .................................................................................... B-2 Zoning Expenditures ................................................................................... B-3 The Zoning Resolution ............................................................................... B-4 Zoning Permits ............................................................................................ B-8 Zoning Inspector ......................................................................................... B-9 Zoning Board Of Appeals ........................................................................... B-10 Amendment or Repeal of the Zoning Resolution ....................................... B-10 Noise Control… .........................................................................................