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| Publications |
| History
and Functions is a brochure provided in the interest of good township
government by the Ohio Township Association. It can be an invaluable resource
in schools, as well as a general educational tool. Print out an Educational
Tools Order Form and mail it to the State Association office today
to receive your copy! |
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Table
of Contents: |
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Township History |
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The Pilgrim Fathers brought the township form
of government to America in 1620. This unit of local government eventually
spread as far west as the Rocky Mountains. Today, it is found in 22 states,
known as the town or township. In Ohio, the township predates our state government. The townships’ size and shape were determined by the Congressional Acts, which established the various land grants. Within each of the Ohio land grants, Congress set aside sections of land for the use of schools and the support of religious institutions. As the Ohio Territory became populated, it was only natural that the surveyed townships should become the basic unit of local government. In 1804, the elected officials of a township consisted of three trustees, a clerk, two overseers of the poor and a sufficient number of supervisors of highway, in addition to justices of the peace and constables. A township treasurer and assessor were later added. In the early years of statehood, Ohio township government cared for the poor, maintained the roads and preserved the peace. Today, just as in 1804, the township is a political subdivision of the state. To keep pace with the demands of changing times, the functions, duties and obligations of the township have changed over the years. Demands for increased or different services have prompted the state legislature to grant Ohio’s 1,308 townships the authority to fulfill these changing needs. Three trustees and a fiscal officer, each elected for a four-year term, administer our townships today. In addition, some townships now appoint a township administrator, whose duties are defined by the individual township. The township administrator typically helps plan, coordinate and implement township goals. Elected officials fill their offices on a part-time basis. Their intimate knowledge of their community, its needs and its citizens enables them to offer more personal service than any other unit of government. |
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| The care and maintenance of the township road system is the largest function of townships today. Responsibility for the roads is divided among levels of government in terms of roadway: state of Ohio, 19,000 miles; municipalities, 21,000 miles; counties, 30,000 miles; and townships, 40,000 miles. |
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board of township trustees has the authority to employ local police officers
and create police districts. Today, Ohio township police have, in general,
the same authority and power the law grants to the sheriff. They are required
to apprehend law-breakers in the township and county. Township police
also execute warrants, writs and other legal processes throughout the
county. |
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Ohio
law permits townships to provide fire protection directly or by contract
with townships, municipalities and other jurisdictions in order to protect
lives and property efficiently. More than 90 percent of townships in Ohio
have a good standard of fire protection covering more than 96 percent
of the population in unincorporated areas of the state. Township fire
departments are staffed with full-time and/or volunteer firefighters. |
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A
board of township trustees may purchase, appropriate, construct, enlarge,
improve, repair or equip a township park. The board may buy suitable land
and material, accept a gift, use township funds or levy a tax. If an additional
tax is required, it must be submitted to the voters for approval. A township
park district may also be established, although the district must be approved
by electors of the township, and when established, is run by an appointed
board of park commissioners. A park district is a separate political subdivision
with taxing authority. |
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Zoning
is the regulation of the use of land and buildings that permit a community
to control the development of its territory. It provides for orderly growth
by protecting homes and property from harmful use on neighboring properties.
Any zoning restriction must have a reasonable relationship to public health,
safety, comfort, convenience, prosperity or general welfare. Ohio law
provides for the submission of a zoning plan to the electors of a township
and also contains provisions for the administration, enforcement and amendment
of the zoning plan if it is adopted. |
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Due
to the tremendous increase in population, government units across Ohio
face a waste disposal problem. Townships are authorized to provide waste
disposal services to residents. It may collect and dispose of garbage
or it may contract with other political subdivisions for such services.
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Townships
manage more than 1,800 cemeteries. Voters must approve the purchase or
appropriation of land for a cemetery, but once it is established, the
township trustees have the authority and obligation to sell plots, set
up service fees, maintain the cemetery and provide for expansion. |
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Township
trustees also have responsibilities for ditches, drains and other surface
waters; line fences between adjacent properties; township hospitals or
township hospital districts; and the control of weeds and brush. Trustees
also have permissive authority to erect monuments to commemorate those
who died in the service of their country and a board of township trustees
may provide artificial lighting when it is determined that public safety
requires such lighting. The township may install its own lighting system
or contract with an electric company. |
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Townships
receive revenue from local property taxes (although raises in property
tax must be approved by voters) and from the gasoline and motor vehicle
license taxes as well as local government money from the state. |
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Townships
possess only those powers expressly delegated to them by statute, or those
which are reasonably implied from those delegated, which include the powers
previously mentioned in this pamphlet. In general, townships do not possess
broad police powers or the ability to provide for public health. An exception
to this general rule is found in Chapter 504 of the Revised Code, which
permits townships with at least 5,000 residents in the unincorporated
area to adopt a limited home rule government. If adopted, limited home
rule townships may exercise “all powers of local self-government,”
subject to certain exceptions. Such authority is limited to the unincorporated
areas of the township and resolutions of the township may only be enforced
by civil fines up to $1,000. |
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This page last updated on July 27, 2007.
Ohio
Township Association 6500 Taylor Road, Suite A Blacklick, Ohio 43004-8570 Phone: (614) 863-0045 Fax: (614) 863-9751 To contact webmaster e-mail: Carr@OhioTownships.org |  | Hosted
by: Center for Public Management and Regional Affairs at Miami University 2 Harrison Hall Oxford, OH 45056 E-mail: CPMRA@muohio.edu Phone: (513) 529-6959 Fax: (513) 529-6939 | |
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