We as your Board of Trustees have made long range financial planning our highest priority over the past 15 years. We have reduced expenditures in our General Fund by over 30% during the past three years in response to the difficult economy.  Last year we completed our Township Neighborhood Master Plan which included key components aimed at maintaining financial stability for the community for the next five years. However, with unprecedented cuts at the State level to essential revenues that the Township has relied upon for many years, our plan for the future must now be dramatically revised.

Many communities across the State of Ohio are looking long and hard at the new financial data projecting major shortfalls as early as 2012. The reallocation of state tax dollars, coupled with the elimination of the Estate Tax, the Tangible Personal Property Tax and the replacement revenues from the Public Utility Personal Properties Tax means that local governments across the entire state will see less and must figure out what to do in order to fill the gaps left by the loss of this revenue. The State Legislature decided in July that the best way to relieve the State's $8 billion dollar deficit without raising taxes was to significantly reduce the allotment of tax dollars to local levels of government.  

Townships are hit the hardest due to their inability to rely on income (earnings) tax as cities and villages can.  Due to the new constraints, Springfield Township is expected to receive nearly $2.2 million less in revenue on an annual basis.   Many of the revenue reductions take effect immediately while the full effect will take place by 2013. The State has not provided for any replacement funds nor has it given townships additional authority by which to raise revenues.

The Township General Fund is expected to see the loss of over $1.5 million a year by 2013. The Police District will receive over $500,000 less in 2012 than it did in 2011 and the Fire District is expected to receive nearly $300,000 less in 2012 than in the previous year.  

Our mission is clear: provide the best services possible through the efficient and effective use of your tax dollars.

We must work within the limitations of these new budget realities by finding innovative ways to work with neighboring jurisdictions, cross-training our employees to provide dual services and systematically eliminating programs where residents can receive service through the for-profit sector. We have opened discussion with the fire and police unions to renegotiate contracts in lieu of layoffs and have imposed a pay freeze for non-contract employees. Project leadership teams have been created in every Township department to look for new ways of doing everyday operations. Our Police and Fire Departments are preparing to launch new software applications that will make reporting paperless and improve efficiencies in communicating with hospitals and in maintaining legal public records. Prior to budget adoption, Trustees will be presented with final recommendations by the Township Administrator, Department Heads and project leaders.

Tough decisions are ahead but all governments must change and adapt. These are trying times, but they are invigorating. As one of the larger communities in Hamilton County, other entities are looking to us to be the leader. We are taking that responsibility seriously and promise to uphold what is best for the growth of the community.

In turn, we will continue to look to you for feedback. We need to hear from you so we can move forward with your values understood and accounted for. We encourage you to attend local meetings and become more informed about the choices ahead. We will be hosting a public budget meeting in December, and the State of the Township address will be held in February. Consider volunteering for a community event and be engaged with your community.

Sincerely,  

josephhonerlaw@springfieldtwp.org 

gwenmcfarlin@springfieldtwp.org 

tombryan@springfieldtwp.org   

View the current 2011 Township budget online at http://www.springfieldtwp.org/GeneralBudget.cfm  

Your donations are greatly needed to assist local residents:

The Springfield Township Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association hosts a canned food drive annually so they can deliver needed food baskets to residents referred to them by local churches. This year two local McDonald's, both on Winton Road, will serve as convenient drop-off locations. Please drop any donations you may have to either store location or to the Springfield Township Senior Center. The CPAAA will collect and distribute the food in December. Your donations are greatly appreciated!

The Springfield Township Fire Department will again collect coats as part pf the 5 Cares Coat Drive. The goal is to collect 4,000 coats  (city-wide) for distribution to local people in need. For many families and individuals, there is simply no extra income to purchase a winter coat. The 5 Cares Coat Drive helps ensure that no one in our community go without a winter coat. Coats will be collected at the main Springfield Township fire station at 9150 Winton Road through December 6th. We are open 24-hours a day - so whenever you get the sudden urge to clean out your closet - drop the coats on by!!!!

Home Care by Black Stone to present follow up series to successful "Caring for Mom" Seminar at North College Hill Senior Center.

To register for the free November 9th program, click here  or call (513) 522-1154.

The leaves are starting to change and mornings are often met with cool fall air. Before we know it, the turkey will be in the oven and the Christmas decorations will be dug out from the basement. This time of year is what many look forward to as it often coincides with many family activities. The holidays allow us to get together with our extended families. Balancing work and children's many activities doesn't allow us to get together with the older members of our family as often as we would like, especially if there are many miles that separate us.

However, you might notice small or significant changes in your loved one. Are there dirty dishes piled up in the sink? Is your mom's appearance not as neat as it should be? Do you notice the car has several scrapes or dents? These are key signs that your aging loved one is in need of care, either medical or non-medical, but can remain at home while receiving care. This topic is often stressful to discuss with your loved one and even more difficult when there are other family members involved. Holidays are a great time to take note of changes within our older family members and take time to discuss long-term options with members of the family that make decisions.

The final installment in the Caring for Mom Series will address "Stress Free Holidays." Libby Feck, Director of Program Services for Senior Independence Adult Day Center, and Geriatric Care Manager, Micki Fehring, RN, from Home Care by Black Stone, will be on hand to discuss the different local options for care as well as signs to look for as your loved one grows older. Senior Independence is a great resource for a caregiver looking for social activities to keep their loved one involved. Adult day centers can provide a variety of services for seniors including balanced meals and snacks, transportation, bathing, nursing observations including medication and stimulating activities. Senior Independence is also a PASSPORT provider which provides a great option for families of any income level.

The seminar will be held on November 9th from 6 pm - 8 pm at the North College Hill Senior Center on Goodman Avenue. The seminar will include refreshments and attendees will be given a take-home resource guide of information and materials covering elder care options.

The seminar is being presented by Home Care by Black Stone, in cooperation with the Springfield Township Senior Center, North College Hill Senior Center, and West College Hill Senior Center and is part of the township's Adult Enrichment series of fall and winter community programs. 

The Grove Banquet Hall (9158 Winton Road)

Sit back, relax and enjoy the holiday entertainment presented by local dance and music ensembles. This evening program is being coordinated by the local dance group, Cincinnati Music, Movement and Dance. Sure to please, these young dancers are very talented and are anxious to perform for you! Plans are in the works to bring entertainment from the community. (Watch for more exciting details to come online and via e-news.)