I would like to introduce myself. My name is Barbara Schaab, and I am running for re-election as Austinburg Township Fiscal Officer. I have held this office for eight years.

My husband Michael and I have lived in Austinburg for 23 years. We raised our three children here and we have one grandson. I have been active on the Austinburg Country Days committee for 22 years. I am a member of Austinburg Garden Club, member and past president of the Ashtabula Elk’s Association, member of Partnership for Education in Ashtabula County, and a past board member of Ohio Farm Bureau. I am a member of the Ohio Township Association, Ashtabula County Township Association, and I am a Notary Public. My husband and I own and operate a farm here in Austinburg, raising beef and hogs, produce, and hay. I am responsible for the bookkeeping and accounting of our farm operation.

My full time job though is serving as your Fiscal Officer. This position is often described as part time, but many weeks necessitate 30 plus hours. The job has become quite involved over the years I have served and is always evolving. Let me tell you just some of the duties I perform as Fiscal Officer. I take care of all financial aspects of the township. Austinburg has an approximate annual budget of 1.2 million dollars. I handle all expenditures, and revenues, and maintain any and all investments. I prepare two budgets per year, and prepare the financial statement at the end of each fiscal year which is then filed with the Auditor of State for review. I perform all payroll duties for all township employees and elected officials, including tax deposits and deductions, as well as administering the health insurance plan. I maintain all township records. I attend all trustee meetings and transcribe the minutes. I also volunteer as acting secretary for the Austinburg Zoning Board of Appeals, attending their meetings and transcribing the minutes. I type and record all cemetery deeds and handle Cemetery Bequest funds. It is my responsibility to track all lighting districts, and any tax levies the township has in place. I complete month end reports, and file quarterly tax reports with the state.

Currently I am working on the Local Update of Census Addresses. This project will update Census Dept. addresses in the township for the 2010 census. I will be working along with the Ashtabula County Planning Commission on this task. A proper count will ensure that Austinburg will qualify for population based funding sources if needed.

In closing, I am proud to say that I have had three clean state audits since taking office in 2000, receiving no material findings. I have also participated, and have been certified for the past four years in a row, in Public Funds Investment Management Training through the State of Ohio Treasurer’s office.

As always, I am more than willing to answer any questions you may have regarding the township. Please feel free to contact me at home, 275-3042 or office, 275-1378.

I truly enjoy the work I do as your Fiscal Officer, and would very much like to continue to serve. Please allow me to maintain the integrity and financial accountability you have come to expect. I ask for your support, and your vote, on November 6.

Sincerely,

Barbara Schaab

Austinburg Twp. Fiscal Officer