“The Ohio Township Association has consistently opposed collective bargaining requirements for townships with less that 5,000 people in the unincorporated territory, which is the only area a township has legislative authority over. Our primary reason for opposing this is the cost related to collective bargaining negotiations and the “decision” process being removed, at least partially, from the township trustees. With respect to township budgets, they are simply not large enough to handle the costs of the process. The cost of attorneys and collective bargaining representation are significant. Should this bill continue through the legislative process, the OTA would recommend language that would set a budget threshold, as well as the population threshold, to ensure the township has the revenue to cover the costs of collective bargaining. For example, a township with less than 5,000 people in the unincorporated territory and wishes to adopt limited home rule government pursuant to RC Chapter 504 must have a budget of at least $3.5 million.”

Also noted in their testimony: “…no where else in the Ohio Revised Code does township population include incorporated territory. Additionally, 5,000 is the traditional line of difference between cities and villages.” Villages are not included in this legislation.

This legislation will effect 13 townships based on the 2000 Census, Washington, Plain, Mifflin, Jefferson, Truro, Hamilton, Jackson and Norwich in Franklin County, Beavercreek in Greene County, Springfield in Richland County, Harrison in Pickaway County, Monroe in Licking County, and Greenfield in Fairfield County.

I have emailed all of the testimony provided at the November 17th hearing to Lisa Renee

Fulton County: German Township fits the population numbers, but it appears that Archbold has its own fire department; Same thing with Clinton Township and Wauseon.

Erie County: Huron Twp meets the population numbers, with the Village of Huron being the imbedded municipalities. I couldn’t tell from the village’s website if they operate their own fire department or not; the twp/village history was intertwined. Margaretta Twp meets the population numbers, and has to villages in it none of which have a website so I couldn’t figure who operates the fire department. Vermillion Twp and Vermillion – same, population numbers met but can’t tell who runs fire department.

“…(15%) of Ohio’s 1,309 townships would meet the bill’s population requirements…”

Hmmm, by population, maybe, but the issue is how many of those who meet the population requirements service a municipality within their jurisdiction while the unincorporated portion of the township remains under 5,000. The 2008 bill sites one example, but acknowledges “does not know how many townships operate a fire department that would qualify under the bill”.

My bet is that this is targeted toward a few select fire departments, (some of whom may have purposefully worked with municipalities to avoid collective bargaining) and is HEAVILY supported by the IAFF.

This could be very expensive for affected townships. I wonder what the Ohio Township Association says about this.

Data from the 2000 Census indicate that roughly 196 (15%) of Ohio’s 1,309 townships would meet the bill’s population requirements and could therefore potentially be affected by the bill. Because public employees with the right to collectively bargain usually have higher salary and benefit costs than employees whom do not have the right to collectively bargain, it seems reasonable to assume that the bill could result in increased salary and benefit costs to those townships whose fire departments qualify for collective bargaining under the bill.

A similar bill was written last year.

Waterville Township is the only township who has a population under 5,000 in the unincorporated area, but a total population over 5,000. However, the township does not have a fire department according to their website; the two villages in the township – Waterville and Whitehouse – do have fire departments (looking at Waterville Village’s website, it appears they service the township as well; Whitehouse’s website is silent on whether they service parts of the township).

Maybe I’m assuming the fire department has to be based in the township, and not the municipality … No, a review of the bill language says this is specifically for township fire departments.

Correct me, please, but I don’t see the affect locally.