Hamilton Township, Ohio: A New Era of Financial Independence

After years of financial struggles, Hamilton Township, Ohio is finally regaining its financial independence. The township has overcome numerous deficits and accounting errors to emerge from state oversight and take back control of its own checkbook.

In April 2014, State Auditor Dave Yost placed the community of about 24,000 residents in fiscal emergency after state-certified audits revealed numerous violations of state law dating back to 2002. The most egregious violations included deficits of $2.5 million in the township's road and bridge and new administration building funds, as well as a $1 million-plus treasury deficit.

For over a decade, Hamilton Township had been plagued by financial woes, but it wasn't until last year that state officials took notice. 'It's great news, but the fact is, we shouldn’t have been here in the first place,' said Dave Wallace, a first-term trustee who began pushing for fiscal reform when he took office in January 2014.

Wallace attributes the township's financial struggles to hundreds of accounting errors made by Jackie Terwilleger, the township's publicly elected fiscal officer since 1980, as well as poor oversight by township trustees. Yost appointed a state oversight committee to take over the township's checkbook until officials could develop a plan to eliminate the deficits and create a five-year plan for spending.

Thanks to the hard work of township officials and the state-appointed oversight committee, Hamilton Township is now poised to regain its financial independence. On Thursday at 10 a.m., State Auditor Dave Yost will join township officials and the oversight committee to announce the township's return to financial stability at a special meeting held at the Hamilton Township Administration building.

As Hamilton Township celebrates this milestone, Wallace emphasized that it's a new beginning for the community. 'This will give us some autonomy so that we can begin working independently again,' he said.

With its newfound financial independence, Hamilton Township is ready to move forward and address its future needs. The township's residents can rest assured that their local government is on track to provide efficient and effective services, thanks to the tireless efforts of officials and the state-appointed oversight committee.

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