Springfield Township in Clark County is one of 1308 Ohio townships. Our township was established in 1818.
The Pilgrims brought the township form of government to America in 1620. This government type is considered the earliest in American history and is still found in 22 states.
In Ohio the township predates our state government. The townships' size is determined by the Congressional Acts which established the various land grants. Ohio land grants were divided into townships that were 6 square miles. Congress set aside sections in each township for schools and religious institutions.
As the Ohio territory became populated it was only natural that the surveyed townships become the basic unit of local government. In 1804 the elected officials of a township consisted of 3 trustees, a clerk, 2 overseers of the poor and a sufficient number of supervisors of the roads, in addition to justices of the peace and constables. A township treasurer and assessor were later added.
Today, like in 1804, the Ohio township is a political subdivision of the state. As such, it only has these powers granted to it by the state legislature and performs functions defined by the state.
To keep pace with the changing times, and growing demands, the functions, duties and obligations have changed over the years.
Today the largest township function is road maintenance. Currently, Springfield Township takes care of 82 miles of roadway in a 33 square mile area.
There are 3 Trustees and one Fiscal Officer, each elected for a 4 year term to direct Township business in Ohio. Clark County has 10 townships with Springfield Township being the largest with 13,424 citizens.
Officially, Trustees and the Fiscal Officers fulfill their jobs on a part-time basis, but they are always ready to meet their responsibilities and put in many hours of work to serve their constituents. Their intimate knowledge of their community, its needs, and its citizens, enable them to offer more personal service than any other unit of government.
Learn more about how your township tax dollars are spent. Visit Ohiocheckbook.com for more information. Opens in new window.
This is a representative map, not to scale.