Hanover Township, Ohio, Voters Will Consider Tax Issue

BY CLAIRE WILLIAMS
Miami University journalism student

In Hanover Township, voters will consider a ballot issue to create a property tax, along with three candidates for two available spots on the township's Board of Trustees.

The township -- located seven miles from Oxford -- needs more dollars for its general fund, according to the ballot issue language.

"Hanover Township was negatively impacted by the recession resulting in property values
dropping over time," according to supporters of the ballot issue. "In addition, the State of Ohio significantly cut funding through the Local Government Fund (Hanover's portion cut by 53 percent) issued to townships and eliminated the estate tax source of revenue for the public sector. The result has been a loss of revenue
estimated to total over $250,000 annually for the last few years.

"Just to stay even with where the township was in 2011, a tax increase is necessary. The current operating budget is the lowest since before 2010."

The ballot issue asks voters to consider a tax levy of 1.75 mills on property -- which would be equal to $175 a year on a home worth $100,000.

If approved, the tax would be in place for five years. The funds would go to maintaining the level of law enforcement standards of the township, park maintenance, matching funds for federal and state grants for the township, providing assistance to the Road Work department, and ongoing maintenance for the Community Center.

Meet the candidates

Douglas Johnson

• Background: Douglas Johnson is vying for his fifth and potentially final term on the Board of Trustees. He worked for the sheriff's office for 35 years and served on the Board of Trustees for 16. Johnson attended Miami University and SouthWest Texas University where he studied criminal investigation. He and his wife, Paulette, have two daughters.
• Issues: Johnson will focus on "working on unfinished business, enhancing the road crew so that more roadwork can be done and doing more with the Hanover Park." He believes that the most important issues facing votes are public safety, fire and emergency services, and maintenance of Hanover in general.

Jeff Buddo

• Background: Buddo owns a lawn care and landscaping business. He is a 16-year resident of the township, with a high school education.
• Issues: Buddo did not answer survey questions from Patch.com.

Frederick Stitsinger

• Background: Stitsinger is a current member of the Board of Trustees who serves as deputy fire chief in the township.
• Issues: Stitsinger did not respond to Patch.com.

Trustees serve four-year terms with an annual salary of $11,884, according to the League of Women Voters.

Top photo: Jeff Buddo is one of three candidates for the Hanover Township Board of Trustees. -- Contributed photo