FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jesse Lightle, Township Administrator
Jacqueline Curl, Public Information Manager
433-0152

March 17, 2008

CITY & TOWNSHIP FINANCIAL STUDY TO BE PRESENTED

Citizens are invited Monday, March 31, to hear draft report findings from a financial study of Centerville and Washington Township governments. The presentation by the University of Toledo Urban Affairs Center will be made at 7:30 p.m. in Centerville Police Headquarters, 155 W. Spring Valley Rd.

The city and township have asked the university to determine if potential cost savings could result from combining any functions of the two local governments, and to examine positive and negative consequences to merging departments.

The University of Toledo presentation is one component of the review process. The second part is a financial study by Steen & Company, a certified public accountant firm. The Steen Study provides a balance sheet of city and township assets and liabilities and looks at the per capita cost of the city and the township compared to peer communities.

Trustees believe that the best public process includes complete information from both studies, said Trustee President Joyce Young. “The township wants to provide our residents with full, comprehensive information relevant to their government’s finances. The UT Study is part of the information needed to make a full and informed evaluation of city and township finances,” Young said.  

When city and township officials agreed to a financial study at a January 2007 meeting, Washington Township Trustees asked that the report contain balance sheet information. Trustees commissioned a second study through Steen & Company because the scope of work for the UT Study did not include that information.

“This is a complex and serious topic that requires thorough study and review. Washington Township trustees are committed to sharing information with our residents,” Young said.

The township will continue to release information about the study and review process as it becomes available. Residents can learn about both financial studies, view streaming video of the Steen Study, and check for updates by clicking on the “Financial Studies” link located on the Washington Township website at: www.washingtontwp.org. Residents also are invited to contact Washington Township at 433-0152 for information.