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WARREN TOWNSHIP -- Township officials are being advised to contact their federal officials to find out why they possibly are being excluded from direct American Rescue Plan Act funding that cities and villages are to receive.
Members of the Trumbull County Township Association met for the first time since January 2020 on Thursday at DiVieste's Banquet Center.
Weathersfield Fiscal Officer Fred Bobovynk said townships were not included in the American Rescue Act federal funding.
"The townships were not part of the process in this round. There has been no mention of the townships. We are waiting to see what happens next," he said.
He said in 2020, townships did get federal funds related to the coronavirus pandemic. He said senators and congressmen are sending letters to the federal government trying to find out about townships this time around.
"We have not heard anything back yet. Nothing has been specified for the townships. If we get the funds, there has to be accountability on what it can be used for," Bobovynk said.
Trumbull County Commissioner Frank Fuda said county officials are waiting for the federal government to give guidance.
"We can't do anything because we don't have all the facts yet. We don't understand what is going on. We have been trying to get information on what they are doing with the townships. We are waiting for more details and directions on whether we have to work with the townships or whether money comes to the county and we distribute it to the townships," Fuda said, noting commissioners have reached out to state officials for updates.
He said he is surprised the townships have not been informed as the cities and townships were notified of their allotments in March.
State Sen. Sandra O'Brien, R-Lenox Township, who attended the association meeting and represents Trumbull, Ashtabula and part of Geauga counties, said it is important township officials reach out before the end of the Treasury's 60-day fund distribution window.
"They need to get in contact with their federal elected officials as soon as possible. I believe the state's townships have been left out of the American Rescue Plan of $1.9 trillion. This is not right they were left out. They need to call the federal officials," O'Brien said.
The Ohio Township Association sent a letter to the U.S. Treasury regarding language changes that potentially exclude Ohio's 1,308 townships from direct ARP funding. Letters also have been sent from Ohio's congressional delegation, both at the state and local levels.
Sam Plott of Southington, president of the township association, said townships are applying for what they think they will get. He said the funds could benefit the townships through help to safety forces via additions to staffing and buildings.
Vienna Trustee Phil Pegg said the delay concerns him.
"This has been way too long for townships to be waiting. My biggest concern is that U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Howland) voted for this and didn't realize or read the changes when it came back from the Senate. He should know what he is voting for," Pegg said.
Heidi Fought, OTA executive director, said in a news release, "Ohio's townships and their residents need these funds in order to recover economically from the ongoing pandemic.
"We're grateful for the many efforts of support shown for Ohio's townships over the past few weeks. Just like other forms of local government in Ohio, townships provide essential services to millions of Ohioans and have been hit hard by the pandemic," Fought said.
Officials said the confusion regarding ARP funding was caused by language inconsistencies between bill versions, specifically definition changes in the term "nonentitlement unit of local government."
Officials said Ohio townships were included in funding estimates in previous versions of the bill.