By Linda Dillman
Staff Writer
Would you like to know how much Madison Township spent on its employees last year or how much it cost the township for services from a door company?
The answer is as close as an electronic device with Internet access.
The township is part of Ohio Checkbook, a state website that shows an overview of spending by the state and participating local governments and school districts.
According to checkbook.ohio.gov, it “serves as the singular and most trusted resource for Ohioans to obtain both local and state financial information.”
The checkbook is a result of a joint initiative from Ohiocheckbook.com and Ohio’s Interactive Budget with the goals of transparency and real-time information.
A database breakdown of expenses shows how much the township spent in 2019 on line items including the police and fire departments; roads and bridges; lighting assessments; and bond note retirements.
Last year, the biggest expenditure was nearly $6.9 million for employees and the township paid Precision Overhead Door $6,306. All of the 2019 information is now available online.
The checkbook is updated annually by the state treasurer’s office.
Santa Parade
Working within COVID-19 restrictions, Madison Township officials still plan to hold a modified Santa Parade on Dec. 13 from 1-3 p.m. on the grounds of the Groveport Madison Middle School North complex.
“We’re still working on the details,” said Madison Township Administrator Susan Brobst. “Residents will arrive at Middle School North and drive around the parking lot. We’ll have vendors handing out items to the youth and then they’ll drive out.”
The township hopes to share more information closer to the actual event. Vendors interested in participating in the parade should contact Brobst at sbrobst@madisontownship.org or Chief Robinson at drobinson@madisontownship.org.
Other Madison Township news
•A resolution raising parttime firefighters hourly pay rate by $1 was approved by the Madison Township trustees.
Fire Chief Derek Robinson said the raise will keep the township competitive with surrounding departments in recruiting and retaining candidates.
The pay increase takes effect during the first pay period in 2021. According to Robinson, in the last group of 14 hires, five or six were from the local area.
“It is exciting to hear they want to work for their hometown department,” Robinson said, adding that he is working with local schools to obtain a certification for juniors or seniors to “get them started in a career in their own backyard. With this last group, it is the largest and most diverse pool we’ve had in regard to gender and race.
•The trustees approved a one-year contract with Capital City Lodge #9 effective May 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021, which includes a salary increase.
“The increase is well-deserved,” said Madison Township Police Chief Gary York. “I appreciate the board’s support for or officers. I fully support the pay increase. It allows us to retain what we have and attract good quality officers in the future.”
