Bath Township Election 2011: Fiscal Officer Candidate Sharon Troike

As part of our 2011 election coverage, Fairlawn-Bath Patch will provide profiles of each of the candidates running for office. These profiles will offer biographical and issue-oriented details about each of the candidates to help you, the voter, make more informed decisions at the ballot box.

Name: 

Age: 50

Occupation: Fiscal Officer,

Education: University of Akron, 1981 Associate Degree in Office Management

Political Affiliation: Non-partisan race

(According to the Summit County Board of Elections, Troike is registered Republican)

Office Sought: Bath Township Fiscal Officer

Previous Political Office Sought or Held: Same 

Candidate Statement: 

I have served as Bath Township Fiscal Officer for the past 3 ½ years.  Although I came into this position with a strong educational and work experience background in business, I was met with a large learning curve when it comes to public sector finance.  Fortunately, I like a challenge! 

Our township operates on an annual budget of approximately $12 million.  I am the legally designated treasurer of the townships finances, overseeing financial transactions, certifying cash balances, and approving expenditures requested by department heads and the Board of Trustees.  The Fiscal Officer is also responsible for public record keeping and requests of public records.  During my tenure, the township has enjoyed three annual audits with no citations or findings. 

In 2010 and 2011 we prepared our annual budgets with a 10 percent holdback in anticipation of future revenue reductions due to the economic challenges being faced by our state and country.  During those two years, we were able to provide the same level of service to our residents, while creating a small cash reserve to help us weather the economic storm we knew we would face.

While preparing our 2012 budget, we projected, and planned for, a 10 percent decrease in revenues through the combination of state funding reductions and declines in property values.  Through the phase out of Tangible Personal Property Tax and Utility Tax collections, the reduction of Local Government funds from the State of Ohio, and a 7 percent decline in property values within our community, we are at the projected 10 percent reduction.

As we move forward, we will need to work even more diligently to control costs while providing the service our residents expect and deserve.

I have lived in Bath Township for 26 years and can think of no other area in which I would want to live.

I enjoy my work in the public sector, and it has given me an even greater passion for my community.

Contact Toike at 330-666-3257.

Election profiles and issue coverage are compiled on Fairlawn-Bath 2011 Election Facebook page.