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Township Government is a grass-roots
form of government that relies on property taxes and allows voters
to exercise considerable control over expenses through tax levies.
It is the closest form of government to the people offering more
personal service, more attention to individual's needs, and a better
understanding of local problems than any other unit of government.
We've come a long way from
the first election of Granger Trustees in 1820 when the names of
three trustees, one clerk, and a justice of the peace were drawn
out of a hat. Townships in Ohio still have four non-partisan elected
officials each elected to a four year term. Each official must live
within the Township. The positions are called part-time, but most
clerks and trustees spend many and sometimes full time hours at
the job in addition to their regular occupation.
The Board of Trustees is the
overall governing body of the township and rules on all policy issues,
as well as being responsible for maintaining the roads, providing
fire and rescue services, maintaining cemeteries and parks.
The fourth elected official,
the clerk, works together with the Trustees and as the Township
Fiscal Officer is responsible for keeping accurate records of all
transactions and meetings, investing funds, adhering to all legal
requirements, and establishing and practicing efficient management.
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