Government

Township Government

Our mission is to provide for and promote the general health, safety, and welfare of Township residents and employees, and to create an environment focused on building for the future.

Washington Township Services

Township government offers clear advantages. It is a simple, grass roots form of local government. Townships are funded primarily by property taxes, which give voters direct control over spending through approved tax levies.

Washington Township provides essential local services. Everyone in Washington Township – including residents and businesses in the City of Centerville – benefits from fire protection, emergency medical services, and recreation opportunities. Residents and businesses in the unincorporated area also receive public works, police, and development services from the Township.

Officials & Administration

Washington Township is led by four elected officials: three Trustees and one Fiscal Officer. Each serves a four-year term. A full-time Township Administrator manages day-to-day operations.

The Township operates several facilities to serve the community, including the Government Center, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Washington Township Substation, and Fire Headquarters on McEwen Road; a recreation complex on Miamisburg-Centerville Road; Town Hall Theatre in downtown Centerville; and five fire stations strategically located throughout the Township.

Limited Self-Government

Washington Township is a "home rule" township. Residents have adopted Limited Self-Government, which allows the Township Trustees to pass resolutions similar to city ordinances. These resolutions must follow state law and specific legal limitations.

Limited Self-Government provides flexibility without losing key services. The Township continues to receive services such as county road maintenance, state highway maintenance, and county building inspections, while gaining greater local control. Before 1991, this level of self-governance was available only to cities.

Ohio law requires home rule townships to have a law director. Washington Township fulfills this requirement through a contractual arrangement.

A Bit of History

When township government was created in 1785, it was designed to serve a mostly rural population. For that reason, townships could exercise only the powers specifically granted by the state.

As communities grew and became more urban, residents' needs changed. In response, the state of Ohio expanded township authority, giving Ohio's 1,311 townships greater flexibility to provide the services residents expect today.