Process, Public Safety, and Planning Ahead

Over the past several weeks, many residents have been following the discussion around Russell Township’s budget carryover and the questions it has raised about how we plan for the future. I want to take a moment to share my perspective and outline how I believe we should move forward.

First, I want to thank the residents who attended the recent meeting and took the time to research township finances and speak during public comment. Civic engagement is one of Russell Township's strengths. When residents take the time to understand how local government works and ask thoughtful questions, it ultimately helps all of us make better decisions.

At the meeting, several questions were raised about the township’s current carryover balance and its relationship to past levy discussions. These are fair questions, and they deserve careful consideration. As someone who recently joined the Board of Trustees, I have been very clear that I am still learning the details of our budget process and asking questions along the way.

Local government budgeting is governed by Ohio law, particularly Ohio Revised Code sections 5705 and 505. These statutes outline how townships certify revenues, adopt appropriations, and ensure fiscal stability. While the numbers themselves can sometimes seem confusing, the goal of the process is straightforward: to make sure we plan responsibly and maintain stable finances for the services our residents depend on.

What became clear during the meeting is that there are opportunities for us to improve how we approach the budgeting process and how we communicate it to the public. I appreciate Fiscal Officer Walder suggesting that we dedicate time to this discussion, and Trustee Hare for calling the special meeting to address it. That is why I support taking time at the upcoming March 16 meeting to review the process carefully and make sure we are operating in a way that is transparent, disciplined, and sustainable.

For me, the guiding principle is simple: process over personalities. The focus should always be on building systems that work well for residents and for the departments that serve our community.

One area where this conversation connects directly to public safety is Fire-EMS.

During recent discussions, I learned that the township’s current ambulance is approximately twenty years old. From both an operational and safety standpoint, that is concerning. Ambulances are critical pieces of emergency equipment, and they must be reliable when residents need them most.

This highlights the importance of beginning the planning process for replacement equipment so that the department has dependable resources when responding to emergencies. While I am happy the fire department is expecting delivery of a new ambulance this year, I am still dismayed that we have a front-line ambulance that is nearly 20 years old when the average service life of an ambulance is 7-10 years.

I also learned that the Fire Department has not restored a previously held full-time position since 2017. At the same time, call volumes and service expectations have continued to grow across the region.

These realities highlight why responsible long-term planning matters. Public safety equipment and staffing are not expenses that can be addressed overnight. They require careful forecasting, budgeting, and coordination between the Board of Trustees, the Fiscal Office, and our department leadership.

It is also important to be honest about the long-term picture. If future staffing and equipment needs eventually require additional funding, we will need to have that conversation openly and transparently with residents. Levies are never taken lightly, and they should always be grounded in clear operational needs and responsible financial planning.

Russell Township is fortunate to have dedicated firefighters, paramedics, police officers, road crews, and staff who work every day to serve our community. The role of the Board of Trustees is to ensure that these professionals have the resources they need while also protecting taxpayers and maintaining sound finances.

That balance is not always simple, but it is essential.

As we move forward, my focus will remain on improving the process, strengthening transparency, and making thoughtful decisions that support both public safety and fiscal responsibility.

Thank you to everyone who continues to participate in these discussions and care deeply about the future of Russell Township.

Together, we will get this right and find a way to make responsible staffing decisions, make capital improvements as scheduled, and return money to our residents. I firmly believe there is a way forward to do all three.

The views expressed here are mine only and are intended to keep residents informed about township issues. Decisions of the Russell Township Board of Trustees are made only during public meetings.