Butler Township Trustees discuss limited home rule, repairs, resolutions

By Contessa Hussong

VANDALIA, OH — Butler Township officials met on Tuesday, July 23, for a trustees’ meeting featuring all four members of administrative staff in addition to two trustees and the township’s fiscal officer. The meeting updated those in attendance on several matters, including the following:

●     Jeff Barnett, the township’s service department director, reported that recent road repairs are finishing strong. While more closures are still to come, construction is said to be ahead of schedule, and the recent work done to add speed tables in the area has not created complaints thus far.

●     Limited Home Rule will return to the ballot this November, leaving residents to decide whether the township should adopt the issue. Limited Home Rule (LHR) was last seen on Butler ballots in 2016 and, if accepted, would give township governance more city-like authority. “[LHR] allows the township to operate outside of the Ohio Revised Code,” Trustee Jackson stated. “It gives our staff a little more creativity.” This ruling would not allow the township to act against anything expressly written in the revised code but would permit officials to respond to smaller community issues. Residents are invited to read more about LHR on the township’s website at https://butlertownship.com/community/limited-home-rule/, and are urged to attend future town halls and meetings to voice their opinions.

●     Chief John M. Porter administered an Oath of Office to Jim Hawkins during the meeting, promoting him to become the latest sergeant in the Butler Township Police Department.

●     Trustees heard one public complaint at the meeting from a concerned citizen seeking help to repair his property. After listening to the issue, the Trustees invited the resident to speak with the county or schedule an individual appointment with them instead, lacking the resources or authority to provide further aid.

Butler Township's next trustees’ meeting will be held on August 27 at 3780 Little York Rd., Dayton, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.