At the August 20 meeting, the trustees took action on the spending authority and credit card policies.
The trustees amended spending authority for certain township employees per expenditure as follows: trustees, fiscal officer, planning director and zoning inspector, $3,000; administrator, $10,000; fire chief and director of public services, $10,000 with the condition that any expenditure above $5,000 be approved in advance by the administrator, and assistant fire chief, $5,000.
“It is in the interest of Springfield Township for effective and efficient administration and operations to allow certain township officers and employees to make expenditures and incur obligations and request orders of payment thereof,” they noted.
The policy was first adopted in May 2019.
In conjunction with the spending authority, the trustees updated the credit card account policy. Only authorized personnel can use the credit card account for goods and services incurred on behalf of the township. No transaction can exceed $10,000 for the administrator, fire chief or director of public services, but if it exceeds $5,000, the purchase must be approved in advance by the administrator.
The assistant fire chief’s credit limit is $5,000 and all other authorized personnel are limited to $3,000.
CSO Report
Deputy Miquael Warren updated the trustees on township activity over the past month. She noted that they had 1,046 calls for service in July, filing 171 reports.
“Calls and reports have increased, passing March’s number of 23 calls for service,” she said.
Dep. Warren addressed a number of complaints involving: truck blocking street, neighbors fireworks, damaged mailboxes, stolen dirt bikes, car parked in same place for three months, and an issue with a homeowner and contractor.
She also issued a reminder to drivers that school is back in session, and “motorists should be mindful of their surroundings.”
She closed by reminding that applications are still being accepted for the Citizen Police Academy which will be held at the township hall (see story on page 1).
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Engaged the law firm of Spengler Nathanson to negotiate union labor agreements on behalf of the township. The firm will charge hourly rates of $220 for partners, $185 for associates and $130, paralegal services.
•Learned that the public services department removed a downed tree on Wentworth Drive.
“It took out power lines and blocked the road for about three hours,” said Andy Hohlbein, public services director.
The department also repaired a six-inch storm sewer line on Nebraska, he added.
•Heard from Hohlbein that they secured a nuisance property at 2339 Heather Glen Drive. “We’ve worked on that a few times,” Hohlbein said, adding it is his understanding that the owner plans to sell the property.
•Paid bills from August 7 to 20 totaling $331,704, which includes an Ohio Public Works Commission payment of $229,635 to Gerken Paving Inc. for this season’s road projects. They also approved electronic payments made between August 2 and 15 for $334,837, including the biweekly payroll of $212,049.
The next trustees meeting will be at 6 p.m., Tuesday, September 3, at the township meeting hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public.
