2024 State of the Township
Presented by:
Scott Paulson, Trustee President
Brian Lunne, Trustee Vice-President
Sharon Lowry, Trustee
Gary Smiga, Fiscal Officer
Each year, we come together to reflect on the progress we’ve made and look ahead to the opportunities that lie before us. This annual State of the Township is more than a recap; it’s a celebration of our shared successes and a reaffirmation of our commitment to serve this vibrant community with excellence, transparency, and reliability.
In 2024, our year was guided by four strategic priorities: Excellent Services, Strategic Partnerships, Financial Stewardship, and an Informed & Inspired Team. These priorities anchor our efforts and define the values that drive our decisions. This will continue to be true throughout this year.
Excellent Services
At Washington Township, excellence in service delivery is our standard. This year, we focused on maintaining critical infrastructure, ensuring public safety, and enhancing the quality of life for all residents.
Washington Township continues to be one of the fastest-growing communities in Ohio, and that trend shows no signs of slowing down. In 2024, several major residential developments were approved to help meet the high demand for housing. These include a multi-family development at Spring Valley and Yankee, featuring eleven two- and three-story buildings with a total of 272 apartments, as well as a residential development on Spring Valley that will bring 95 new single-family homes to the community. As more families and individuals choose to call Washington Township home, we remain committed to thoughtful, strategic growth that enhances our community’s character and quality of life.
2024 was a record-breaking year for the Washington Township Fire Department as we surpassed 10,000 calls for service in one year. This is the highest volume of calls for service in the department’s 78-year history and a reflection of Washington Township’s continued growth. As our population expands, so too does the demand for emergency services. However, despite this increase, our community remains incredibly safe, thanks to the dedication and expertise of our fire and emergency personnel.
Beyond emergency response, our Fire Department continues to prioritize proactive fire prevention and safety education. Through rigorous training, community outreach programs, and fire code enforcement, we are not only responding to calls but actively working to reduce risk and enhance public safety. Our commitment to preparedness and prevention ensures that as our community grows, we remain just as strong, resilient, and well-protected as ever.
Throughout the year, the Township continued to prioritize responsive service delivery that addresses the needs and concerns of our residents. In 2024, our Public Works Department utilized GIS mapping and scheduling to improve communication around leaf collection, giving residents a more accurate timeline for when their streets would be serviced. Over 45 Township streets and 51,000 linear feet of pavement were included in the 2024 Street Improvement Program, affirming our commitment to enhancing and improving critical infrastructure in Washington Township. Additionally, following the hurricane in September, our dedicated crew stepped up to collect storm debris, ensuring our community could recover quickly and safely.
The same spirit of responsiveness extends to our Development Services department. Over the past year, the department has worked diligently to incorporate community feedback into the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. We are deeply grateful to the residents, developers, and stakeholders who took the time to review the document and provide thoughtful input, which has been instrumental in shaping a plan that reflects our community’s vision and values.
In collaboration with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, we introduced a designated Safe Exchange Zone in their parking lot, monitored 24/7 by cameras. This provides residents with a secure location for conducting transactions and meeting arrangements.
At the RecPlex, passholders now enjoy improved access with card-swipe entry to the fitness center’s exterior doors. We’ve also added self-belay devices to the climbing wall, making it easier than ever for residents to engage in this popular sport. These enhancements, while seemingly small, reflect our commitment to creating accessible, user-friendly facilities that enhance the daily lives of our residents.
Looking ahead to 2025, we remain committed to maintaining and enhancing the excellent services that our residents rely on. In May, our community electric aggregation program will be up for renewal, offering new rates. This program has been widely embraced by the majority of Washington Township residents and demonstrates our dedication to providing programs that meet the evolving needs of our community.
Whether through innovative programs or investments in our resources, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide seamless and exceptional services that meet the growing needs of our community.
Strategic Partnerships
Building connections is integral to strengthening our community. This year, we launched monthly Coffee & Networking events in partnership with the South Metro Regional Chamber of Commerce. These gatherings have fostered collaboration among local businesses, community leaders, and residents.
In 2024, we connected to the Miami Valley Educational Computer Association fiber network. Connecting to the existing fiber network creates efficiencies through regional collaboration since many neighboring municipalities are also on this network. The network will also help us control costs and establish the critical infrastructure needed to support modernization.
Additionally, the Township hosted multiple community events throughout the year, which were successful not only for their strong attendance but also due to the generous support of local businesses and organizations who helped sponsor these gatherings.
One of Washington Township’s most enduring partnerships is with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. This year, we bid farewell to Captain Mike Brem upon his retirement and welcomed Captain Josh Samples to the Township team. With new leadership comes fresh perspectives and opportunities, and we are grateful for Captain Brem’s service while looking forward to this next chapter with Captain Samples.
In 2025, we look forward to continuing to build and strengthen our partnerships by incorporating quarterly meetings with our community partners including the City of Centerville, our schools, library, park district, and the county. While we interface with our partners on a regular basis, these scheduled meetings will assist in continuity and alignment with regards to strategic planning and communications. They will also ensure that we have an open line of dialogue through consistent and up to date points of contacts.
All of these partnerships have cultivated connections among local leaders and residents, unlocking opportunities for growth and shared success.
Informed & Inspired Team
Our most valuable resource is our people. Last year, we launched an internal communications division to strengthen engagement among our employees. This initiative includes an Employee Engagement Committee, regular employee events, and a monthly internal newsletter.
These efforts have fostered a culture of collaboration, innovation, and support, ensuring our team remains inspired and connected as we work toward common goals.
We also spent the year updating our Township-wide strategic plan. The driving force behind the update was our staff and we are proud to say that many of the internal changes this year were derived directly from feedback received from staff during that strategic plan update.
Moving into 2025, we continue to expand our team by adding motivated and skilled employees to our departments. As Washington Township continues to grow, so do the needs of our community. In order to continue delivering excellent services, we need to successfully recruit employees who are dedicated to the mission and vision of Washington Township.
Financial Stewardship
Being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars is at the core of our governance. In 2024, we secured several grants that enhance our ability to serve the community while reducing financial burdens on residents. These include a 1.7-million-dollar Clean Ohio grant to improve Countryside Park, an H2Ohio grant to upgrade public works trucks with pre-wetting equipment for winter storms, and a 1-million-dollar grant for strategic community investment.
These successes are a reflection of our commitment to prudent financial management, allowing us to fund critical initiatives without incurring debt.
In 2024, we launched a survey to better understand the needs and preferences of our community regarding trash services. Using this valuable feedback, we are actively exploring ways and considering options that address these diverse needs while promoting affordability and efficiency.
We mentioned previously about our strong partnership with the Sheriff’s Office. By utilizing MCSO for police services in the Township, we receive the benefits and quality that come from having a large department with the advantages of local control. Contracting with the Sheriff’s Office provides significant economies of scale as Washington Township residents pay less per person for police protection than many other localities. In return for their investment, they receive a variety of services that smaller departments frequently cannot afford. For example, last year MCSO launched their official drone program and have effectively deployed these drones multiple times to support active incidents and investigations. Moving forward, we anticipate additional uses for the drone program, including during large community events since they provide law enforcement with a bird’s-eye view and help enhance security, crowd management, and assist in rapid emergency response.
We are proud of our ability to secure outside funding and manage our resources prudently, and we also recognize that continued growth and community needs will require us to explore additional funding options in the future. As we look ahead, we are committed to transparency and collaboration, ensuring that any proposed adjustments to our funding structure will reflect the best interests of our residents and the long-term success of Washington Township.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on the accomplishments of 2024, we also look forward with anticipation to the year ahead. Guided by these strategic priorities, we will continue to innovate, collaborate, and invest in initiatives that enhance the quality of life for all who call Washington Township home.
In closing, we want to thank our residents, whose trust and support make everything we do possible. Together, we are building a community that not only thrives but also inspires.
Thank you, and here’s to a bright future for Washington Township.