[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6335195,"mediaKeyId","2290964-213b4fc13edd40731f12432b97fd5df0","parentId",2290964,"title","Trustees approve multiple purchases, discuss funding and levy options; votes at a glance","audioSeconds",5875,"startMs",650000,"endMs",6525000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2290964-213b4fc13edd40731f12432b97fd5df0&start=650&end=6525","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2290964-213b4fc13edd40731f12432b97fd5df0/thumbnail_650000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6335195/Ohio/Trustees-approve-multiple-purchases-discuss-funding-and-levy-options-votes-at-a-glance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335195-b9d659a7571b5324879fa83e73e5a420/orig.mp4?Expires=1776390384&Signature=eNH2HxMpWPvIsfVFztuIxZFPwfLn~aZhBWAPdp1DSyp-~Q2TiU6SvcjX8L8L1m0vqDlUJowXd~tRHWUbMlKLW-Ee81bCFRDv4veLjqxtTkfbDnjUy50B1zvFlEG5KiJECkJDmyEk4qokzo97dT-ojese2t-w9-acbhpqHheNklBLnuK5CpW5JjphXVPQzC7ihiFTg8tmlWJVYraJqbz00pctjRtJCpvk~m3R7~U60GWbalsg3b3YYPCTi2d5-3j91qvVVIT7T0oB~aKP1VvlS7L6W2Yf0X8gY~e-CQS-NHmFaW-CsBcxjcKslkZ9j5pG4jFbTjEYF5tBmkmKeO5SLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-12T02:44:32Z","article","Fairfield Township trustees met Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, and by roll call approved multiple resolutions for equipment and building repairs, discussed long‑range budgeting and carryover needs, and directed staff to return with additional data on funding and paving priorities.

Major discussion topics: Trustees spent substantial time on the Fire Station 211 condition and options; heard vendor demonstrations for electronic message signs; and discussed the township’s budget process, a proposed carryover policy for fire/police/road funds and options for future levies to support fire operations and paving.

Budget and carryover: Administrator Kim Lipenzi and finance staff described a short‑term approach to cover payroll in several funds (fire, police, road) and urged a more formal carryover or transfer plan before 2026. Staff recommended a possible permanent transfer from the general fund to create minimum carryover for four months of payroll; trustees asked for a data‑driven cash dashboard and a five‑year projection, and requested more detailed paving and capital plans before deciding on levy timing or size.

EMS billing and equipment: Staff proposed adjusting EMS billing rates (unchanged since 2011) to bring charges closer to the regional median; trustees asked staff to coordinate with the fire chief and return a formal recommendation. The board also authorized purchases related to EMS and public safety equipment.

Votes at a glance (actions adopted Feb. 11, 2025)
- Resolution 25‑25: Authorize crack‑sealing purchase, not to exceed $10,000 (fund 4903). Outcome: adopted by roll call (3–0).
- Resolution 25‑26: Purchase office desk and chair for township administrator, $6,243.46 (general fund). Outcome: adopted by roll call (3–0).
- Resolution 25‑27: Purchase three police vehicles from Jeff Wyler Automotive, $196,004.99 (fund 2901). Outcome: adopted by roll call (3–0).
- Resolution 25‑28: Authorize administration building roof repairs, not to exceed $39,379.11 (general fund). Outcome: adopted by roll call after amendment to remove a contractor name from the title (3–0).
- Resolution 25‑29: Purchase shotguns for police department, $14,089 (fund 2901). Outcome: adopted by roll call (3–0).
- Resolution 25‑30: Purchase lockers for fire department (station 211), $8,060.12 (fund 2281). Outcome: adopted by roll call (3–0).
- Resolution 25‑31: Purchase dump truck with plow for public works (state contract), not to exceed $2,218,322 (fund 2901); trustees authorized purchase (3–0).
- Resolution 25‑32: Approve updated public‑notice method per House Bill 315 (Ohio) to allow website and social media posting in lieu of newspaper publication (effective April 2025). Outcome: adopted (3–0).
- Resolution 25‑33: Purchase a staff pickup and accessories for the fire department, $75,284.08 (fund 2901). Outcome: adopted by roll call (3–0).
- Resolution 25‑34: Purchase AEDs to comply with House Bill 47, $4,142.98 (fund not specified in discussion). Outcome: adopted (3–0).
- Resolution 25‑36: Purchase two mobile fingerprint units for police from DataWorks Plus, $8,010 (fund 2901). Outcome: adopted (3–0).
- Resolution 25‑37: Authorize the administrator to enter into an electric aggregation agreement recommended by Energy Alliances (one‑year term). Outcome: adopted (3–0).

Items held or first reads: The board received a first read (no final action) on a proposed office‑manager position and promotion for a current employee (Resolution 25‑35) and several major capital purchase items were placed on first reads to allow trustees extra time to consider procurement and financing.

Staff follow‑up: Trustees directed staff to return with:
- A multi‑year cash dashboard tying projected revenues (including expected development and TIF revenues) to proposed expenditures and levy scenarios;
- A paving master plan and five‑year capital schedule for equipment replacement and station projects;
- Formal competitive bids and cooperative pricing for the electronic sign replacements and the proposed dump truck; and
- A recommended EMS rate schedule for board consideration.

Ending: Trustees recessed into executive session on personnel matters and expected to return with staff proposals on compensation and the office‑manager position at a future meeting.

All roll‑call votes reported at the meeting were three in favor, zero opposed; the meeting transcript records Trustees Burding, Harkenmeier and McAbee present for the roll calls.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fairfield Township Board of Trustees Meeting 2/11/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its Feb. 11 meeting the Fairfield Township Board of Trustees approved a series of equipment and facility purchases, heard budget and carryover discussions and directed staff to prepare data for possible levies; the board adopted several resolutions by roll call (all three trustees present voted yes on listed items).","taxTitle","Fairfield Township, Butler County, Ohio","taxId",55541,"location","Ohio","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6335198,"Sign vendors pitch U.S.‑made Watchfire units after older message centers fail",377,3404000,3781000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2290964-213b4fc13edd40731f12432b97fd5df0&start=3404&end=3781","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2290964-213b4fc13edd40731f12432b97fd5df0/thumbnail_3404000.jpg","/articles/6335198/Ohio/Sign-vendors-pitch-USmade-Watchfire-units-after-older-message-centers-fail","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335198-945cad40a2c6730e2111c4beeb9b686d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776390384&Signature=FJeHkFUGm8-HnU9dYboPpPMfjZlWPm2f5R5QND9I-kgA3D4O2slFqaUF~oT8dpjg3RlcJP1XEvQuTngvUMuZL~D~sGAUyRPV3xcG9DyqQw5Ji5QvvrmmW9uA8rwQQkoofo4H~w8KO9VFoz9GmI~od7GDefEJl7i12nUMfPPCOtTjPgQc9oMoBiWo818rzn4qeVCWF5xEogpVzpBw6kQ~No5i~Rw82XzILYvl~8-xw9gnGzKaWmlqueOHdYCLvqLFsNlvtpanm-aHyjLbdYv~6VdQ9NKQexGmHElWcJ7TH5ne4wvyjS3JhLD63rju3eq8EfgTRpZJPEIDMOLmdldESA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fairfield Township trustees received a vendor presentation Tuesday on three failing municipal electronic message signs and heard a proposal to replace the electronic cabinets with Watchfire units supported by local fabrication for the static sign faces.

Steve Weeks of Tri State Signs told the board the existing signs are no longer repairable and that the original manufacturer provides no effective parts support. “We really can get no support from Stewart signs at all. They are bottom line is they're not repairable,” Weeks said, describing repeated service attempts and parts shortages. He proposed removing the existing electronic message centers and installing Watchfire LED cabinets and local static signage to return all three monuments to service.

Chris Rose, a Watchfire representative, described the company’s U.S. manufacturing, vendor guarantees and support network. “Watchfire started as Time O Matic … We have 70,000 of these signs in The United States,” Rose said, and he highlighted a five‑year parts guarantee and a minimum of 10 years of product support as reasons to buy domestically supported hardware.

Budget and procurement: Tri State provided a budgetary estimate in the discussion of roughly $42,000 per sign (estimate noted as preliminary and subject to cooperative‑pricing options). Vendors said pricing can improve if the township uses an existing purchasing cooperative agreement (the presentation cited Qualis Group and state cooperative terms as potential avenues to reduce lead time and cost). Vendors also discussed pixel pitch and brightness (nits) and gave trustees a demonstration unit.

Next steps: Trustees asked staff to collect formal quotes, check purchasing‑cooperative pricing and return competitive estimates with procurement options. Vendors offered installation timelines measured in weeks after order placement and suggested the township could see installed units in a matter of weeks to a few months depending on configuration and cooperative pricing.

Ending: The board did not authorize purchase Tuesday; staff will return with formal bids and cooperative‑pricing options.","Tri State Signs and Watchfire representatives told trustees that the township’s three existing electronic message centers are beyond repair and proposed replacing the cabinets with Watchfire equipment (U.S.‑made) and locally manufactured static faces; Tri State offered a rough estimate of about $42,000 per sign.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6335202,"Trustees authorize one‑year electric aggregation agreement as Duke rates climb",4941,118000,5059000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2290964-213b4fc13edd40731f12432b97fd5df0&start=118&end=5059","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2290964-213b4fc13edd40731f12432b97fd5df0/thumbnail_118000.jpg","/articles/6335202/Ohio/Trustees-authorize-oneyear-electric-aggregation-agreement-as-Duke-rates-climb","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335202-e5e9c2dacd96891f4be1e2e0fa496821/orig.mp4?Expires=1776390384&Signature=Quyhg5jaP1P9OM6sHLV~e-axOwIbfUNRBrpiEgVs-iI8fqOTk5kZGarixhJhPEA1zJNqqTjlcLx~ZLBo-l5TU5Vs--tpsegNR3ASwkk~dsb-x2nZEeu433abITy9~aZPGQ9dpUVHdRT~vaLn2RG7QM1BzhmItOd6I1mqYC01Mi~MMXe2sjFcmOS99mam1m-AFwc2Py16--8x~BX2XHONkHdHakpz~6s~02Ow7IqRgPcYaUq6JtSZKQwu7VBYK0qQfF3YLhgdwTpff00vRNfTvotyP0gcVzeddmcrG9sq1yivGfSSR44iCsWX1m1Q9WyVnNEp6ViUyPJeib3TCFGqcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fairfield Township trustees authorized the township administrator Tuesday to enter into a one‑year electric aggregation contract to prevent a lapse in a community aggregation program, officials said.

Mr. Deaters of Energy Alliances briefed the board on market conditions and a recommended one‑year term. “The Duke price to compare is headed north, probably north of 10¢ in, the next 1 year term,” Mr. Deaters said, and he said the offer the company was presenting was expected to be significantly below Duke’s upcoming rates.

Why it matters: Township officials said the aggregation program has produced community savings over recent terms and that a failure to contract in a timely way could return residents automatically to Duke’s standard service at higher rates. Deaters told the board that, across communities the firm serves, residents saved about $1.9 million over the last 16 months (about $400 per user), and that continuing the program would maintain a competitive price for electric supply.

Contract term and consumer choice: The board authorized a one‑year term, and Deaters and trustees emphasized residents retain the right to opt out. Deaters described the program as voluntary: “They can come and go as they please. They can without any fee at all,” he said.

Board action: The board adopted a resolution authorizing the administrator to execute an aggregation agreement with the supplier recommended by Energy Alliances (Resolution 25‑37). The resolution language directs the administrator to execute a supplier agreement recommended by the township’s broker and to pursue a one‑year term because of market uncertainty.

Ending: Township staff said they will post program materials to the township website and distribute information as the new contract is implemented so residents understand their enrollment and opt‑out options.","Trustees approved giving the administrator authority to sign a one‑year electric aggregation contract after a market review showed Duke Energy’s price‑to‑compare likely rising; Energy Alliances told the board the new term should preserve savings for township residents.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6335207,"Trustees hear six options to fix aging Station 211; temporary quarters, multi‑million rebuilds on table",803,613000,1416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2290964-213b4fc13edd40731f12432b97fd5df0&start=613&end=1416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2290964-213b4fc13edd40731f12432b97fd5df0/thumbnail_613000.jpg","/articles/6335207/Ohio/Trustees-hear-six-options-to-fix-aging-Station-211-temporary-quarters-multimillion-rebuilds-on-table","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335207-9454d3485563699372d6f20313a2874c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776390384&Signature=ljgG7xGFkZNnMwQDDsVNIyhW3tiIafUg-Rmfy5DUamh~7LM0lPhJI0jIB5U9wIp8s8NztyJ~PTmjl2Ftn8-OEKKCEMlvyqP1sOHg7hIgrjlwobPVyEQSYthWbycx1ZQpOLrzDdoEK9Rdq~Ol~9GQxn91JdCtsYgOIbUpMrSrN-M5Hwq02zo0VyXB1iOs8L4VvB~F7zPMvX-IoVBj-jaNfEps3buyvGo-klp-IVuzgFbtia-1GS2WKXPA7BVleYHPMoOleoKZbKtKlva~AKUQmuIK60KKdiN3ymLNKUQOHyQkp4X6dfLwf1C15LxmiBtVDrObhLT5TcH~F3AQurXHSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fairfield Township trustees heard a presentation Tuesday on options to repair or replace Fire Station 211 after a Community Design Alliance assessment found repeated water intrusion, damaged living quarters and mechanical shortcomings.

The Community Design Alliance consultant, Amy Hocky, told trustees she and a team that included contractor HGC developed six options ranging from targeted roof and interior repairs to building a new station on the site or adjacent land. “I have actually 6 options that I'm going to go over tonight,” Hocky said as she outlined the scope and budget approach.

Why it matters: Station 211 houses crews and apparatus that respond 24 hours a day; trustees and staff said the station’s condition affects firefighter living conditions, equipment storage and apparatus readiness. The presentation included construction‑cost budgeting from a local contractor and identified tradeoffs between short‑term repairs and longer‑term replacement.

The lowest‑cost plan on the packet was a focused repair to stop water infiltration and fix damaged finishes and floors; Hocky described that as the option that addresses water damage only. A larger roof replacement and interior renovation was presented as a higher‑cost alternative intended to resolve recurring leaks rather than merely patch them. Hocky also presented options that add living bunks, a new kitchen and a fourth apparatus bay, and two options to build a partial or full new station while keeping the current facility operable during construction.

Estimated times and contingency: Hocky said the construction schedule for projects that require temporary living quarters is likely to be about 12 to 18 months, and that the township would need to identify a site for temporary trailers or a rented facility. She estimated the cost to provide temporary quarters and support infrastructure at roughly $60,000 to $80,000 for the duration of construction.

Chief Berger and staff participated in the assessment and told trustees the station’s mechanical and living‑quarters issues — such as bunks without doors and damaged floor areas — affect crew comfort and privacy. Hocky said replacing the roof fully rather than repairing patches is likely to produce longer‑term results; she characterized a patch repair as “a band aid that might buy us a couple years.”

Trustee and staff next steps: Trustees did not take immediate action. Staff said they will continue refining cost estimates and site logistics, and that any construction plan will need a funding strategy. Hocky and the township recommended further design work before committing to a construction alternative so the board can consider funding sources, timing and whether to build while keeping the station operational.

Ending: Trustees asked staff to continue discussions with designers and contractors and return with more detailed cost and funding information at a future meeting.","Fairfield Township trustees heard a six‑option presentation on repairing or replacing Fire Station 211, including short‑term roof and water‑damage fixes and multi‑million‑dollar additions or a new station; staff said any construction would likely require 12–18 months of temporary quarters.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Trustees approve multiple purchases, discuss funding and levy options; votes at a glance

Sign vendors pitch U.S.‑made Watchfire units after older message centers fail

Trustees authorize one‑year electric aggregation agreement as Duke rates climb

Trustees hear six options to fix aging Station 211; temporary quarters, multi‑million rebuilds on table