Ohio Township Association Supports Governor DeWine's Safety Services Budget Proposals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1/31/2023
Ohio Township Association Supports Governor DeWine’s Safety Services Budget Proposals
Columbus, Ohio – Today, Governor Mike DeWine gave his State of the State address, featuring his goals for the upcoming state budget. The address featured two safety services initiatives that could significantly impact Ohio’s townships.
First, Governor DeWine announced that his budget would fully fund the “Next Generation 9-1-1 System” in every community around the state. Utilizing GPS, this system would quickly get first responders to the site of emergencies by routing the calls to local dispatchers.
Second, the Governor announced that his budget would cover, in full, the monthly fees for agencies using the “Multi-Agency Radio Communications System,” known as MARCS. The system, used in many townships across the state, allows agencies to communicate across jurisdictions. The system, while effective, has been cost-prohibitive for many townships in Ohio, as local government funding has been reduced.
In response to these announcements, OTA Executive Director Heidi M. Fought stated, “The “Next Generation 9-1-1 System” funding would release the burden that many townships face regarding paying for essential 9-1-1 calls, and the MARCS radio funding would help bridge the gap for the many agencies that cannot afford the updated, but vital and effective technology that the MARCS radios provide. I applaud the Governor for prioritizing these Local Government measures and providing much-needed financial support for them in his budget proposal.”
In addition to the safety service measures, the Governor also announced an investment of $150 million for innovation hubs throughout Ohio for economic development and growth. The OTA hopes to review how townships will partner with these regional hubs to encourage community advancement.
OTA looks forward to working with members of the General Assembly in support of these measures. If you have any questions, please contact the Ohio Township Association at 614-863-0045.
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The Ohio Township Association is a statewide organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of township government in Ohio. The OTA was founded on June 28, 1928 and is organized in 87 Ohio counties. OTA has more than 5,200 active members, made up of trustees and fiscal officers from Ohio’s 1,308 townships, and more than 4,000 associate members.