CLAY TOWNSHIP — The trustees may have a solution in the replacement of the township fiscal officer since no resumes or letters of intent were submitted for the position currently held by Holly Buchanan.

Buchanan is leaving the position on May 31.

Trustee Mark Brownfield told the trustees if a replacement isn’t found, he is willing to resign as trustee and assume the fiscal officer position.

The trustees had earlier announced a request for resumes and letters of intent from township residents to fill the position, but none were submitted by the deadline date of May 1.

“Have we received any applications?” trustee chairman Dale Winner asked.

“We haven’t received anything. Not even a phone call,” township police chief John Van Gundy replied.

The position must be filled by a Clay Township resident.

“I’ll just throw this out here because I’ve been thinking about the fiscal officer position. I check with John almost daily asking if we got anything,” Brownfield said.

Brownfield pointed out he has an accounting degree and has experience as a finance director for the city of Englewood and the city of Oakwood.

“I do have a background as a finance director from two different jurisdictions, so I’d be willing to have you consider me stepping into that role and take over the fiscal responsibilities for the township,” Brownfield said.

Brownfield also said he would have the time to devout to the township fiscal officer position because he is retiring as Englewood’s director of police and public service on June 30.

“As you all should know I’m retiring at the end of June, so that will give me a whole lot more time to take on the duties of the fiscal officer and learn the whole thing,” Brownfield said.

Brownfield was quick to point out his decision to assume the fiscal officer position depended on receiving training from Buchanan.

“I’ve talked to Holly to make sure she would stay on as my deputy until I can be trained,” Brownfield said.

“That’s the only way I would do this if Holly would stay on so I’m not flailing about trying to figure out which way is up,” Brownfield continued.

“Even though I’ve worked at two different cities, they have their own rules and I’m not as well-versed in ORC (Ohio Revised Code) as Holly is. I didn’t use the software Holly uses, but she says it’s pretty easy, so I should be able to pick it up,” Brownfield said.

Trustee Steve Woolf said the trustees will need to create and approve the fiscal deputy position.

“We have to get the deputy position wrapped up and have it prepared to be approved. You then have to appoint Holly to that position,” Woolf said.

“Those steps have to be taken first. I wouldn’t be comfortable until we make that transition. Once the deputy position was prepared we could do it all on the same unified date,” Woolf added.

Van Gundy suggested appointing Brownfield as the fiscal deputy.

“Instead of appointing Holly as a deputy, if Mark was to step down as trustee, why couldn’t you just appoint him as deputy and he could work with her through May and then come June, he can take over. If needed, he could switch hands, but if not needed he’s ready to run with it,” Van Gundy said.

Winner said if the trustees appoint Brownfield as the deputy fiscal officer and after working with Holly in May he may feel comfortable in the position and not need a fiscal deputy when he takes over the position on June1.

Buchanan indicated she is available to assist Brownfield in June if necessary.

Woolf asked Brownfield to submit a letter of intent for the position.

Brownfield replied he would submit a letter.

“Since we didn’t get any applications, moving over into Holly’s seat immediately solves the problem,” Brownfield said.

“I think this is the best option for the township,” Brownfield continued.

The trustees have until June 29 to appoint a fiscal officer.

Brownfield indicated if he is appointed as fiscal officer, he will seek election to the position in November.

If Brownfield assumes the fiscal officer position, the trustees will take steps to appoint a township resident to fill Brownfield’s trustee seat.

Reach Terry Baver at [email protected]