DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
A controversy involving the Union Township Board and Township Trustee Nathan Mihm is causing quite a stir in the northeast corner of Adams County after two of the three township board members voted not to approve the budget for the upcoming 2024 fiscal year.
Board members Jessica Roemer and Scott Marbach voted at the most recent meeting against the budget over questions about how money has been spent in previous years and sub-contracts issued by Mihm.
Without an approved budget for the upcoming year, the township would be forced to work off the previous budget, but, according to Mihm, that amount will not be enough to continue to offer the services Union Township citizens have enjoyed.
“Costs go up,” Mihm told WZBD. “We have paid for library cards for our residents when they request them and we’ve had more of those requests than ever it seems like.”
Mihm also posted a message on the Union Township Hall doors stating that the hall will be closed after December 31st.
“We can’t open the hall without an adequate fire protection contract,” he said. According to Mihm, the township has paid an increasing amount each year for fire protection. In 2012, that amount was just over $6,000. In 2020, it was over $8000. The budgeted amount, he says, needs to be $10,130.05 for 2024.
Roemer disputes the idea that it is necessary to close the Township Hall, which is used extensively by residents for celebrations like graduation and confirmation parties.
Roemer has called into question what she calls “excessive spending” by the township over the past two years and has requested more information on contracts signed by Mihm for items such as snow removal and mowing at township properties. All of those contracts in question are, according to public record, with Kiess Electric.
Mihm noted that all previous budgets have been approved by the respective local and state government agencies. He says that his township’s budget increase for 2024 is in line with other townships across the county.
Of the 12 townships in Adams County, Union’s is the fifth-highest at just over $98,000. Those range from a low of $46,000 for Jefferson Township to $194,000 in Monroe Township.
“Fire protection and poor relief has never been in question,” said Roemer. “We are questioning the spending in the general fund and the recreation fund and the contracts that are being signed and sub-contracted there. We are requesting itemized budgets for each account to add accountability here.”
Mihm noted that a meeting was held for the public to discuss the 2024 budget on September 9th and Roemer was not present. Roemer says that members of the board are not required to attend.
Mihm disputes that fact, stating that he feels board members are required to attend all meetings dealing with township government.
The Township will hold another meeting to resolve the issues and hopefully adopt a new budget on October 28th. This meeting is open to the public.
Additionally, Roemer noted that there will be a public meeting on January 13th at the Union Township Hall where bids for work like snow removal and mowing will be up for consideration.
The board has had several changes in the past year. The current chairman of the Republican Party in Adams County, Steve Justus, was a member of the board until he resigned. He appointed Roemer to fill his term.
Justus appointed Scott Marbach, who joined Roemer in voting against the township’s budget, last week after Eric Miller resigned. Miller had moved out of the township.
Mihm also noted that if a budget is not passed and appropriate fire contracts aren’t signed, that the local fire departments will not be obligated to provide fire protection to residents of the township as of December 31st.
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