BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – Frank Shaffer, President of the Belmont County Township Association and a Pultney Township Trustee, sounded off to the Belmont County commissioners Wednesday on what he says is local officials’ ignorance about how local governments are funded.
Shaffer says local leaders and residents are confused about how local governments allocate money, and with the recent increase in property taxes ignorance is turning to anger and frustration.
Do local elected officials understand the basics of government?
Shaffer spoke with River News Network about his views following the meeting. Shaffer expressed his frustration over elected officials’ ignorance of financial administration and budgetary allocations at the local level.
Schaffer cited an issue with the City of St. Clairsville requesting money directly from Belmont County. He said city officials there contend that their residents are entitled to receive property taxes directly from the county since their residents live in Belmont County. He said there were a “multitude of issues” involving the city surrounding higher property taxes.
Schaffer says local officials need educated on taxes, funding and the basics of government.
“basically, local entities in government don’t understand the process and how it works, how the budgets are set up for each individual area and there is not funding to actually give out by any entity in this area. maybe at the state level, maybe at the federal level, but not at the local level…not from the county.”
Frank Shaffer, President of the Belmont County Township Association and a Pultney Township trustee
Criticism of Elected Officials’ Knowledge
Shaffer says there is an apparent lack of understanding among elected officials regarding the budgeting and funding processes.
“Some of the elected officials don’t understand that process. They don’t know the process and how the money just can’t be handed out.”
Frank Shaffer, President of the Belmont County Township Association and a Pultney Township trustee
He elaborated on how local budgets are structured, stating that funds are not automatically available at the county level—resources are typically allocated at the state or federal level.
A Call for Increased Communication and Education
Shaffer stressed that local governments must take a proactive approach to better understand the flow of their funding. “All they have to do is reach out to the other entities, discuss it with them, discuss their budgets,” he advised. He encouraged officials to use available resources, including online tools, to trace where their tax dollars are going. By fostering communication, Shaffer believes that officials can collectively learn more about the intricacies of funding and budgeting.
Shaffer urged local, state, and federal agencies to work together rather than rely on the hope that additional funding will eventually be granted.
“We need to start working together as a team rather than just reaching out and hoping that somebody’s gonna give us money. That’s not gonna happen.”
Frank Shaffer, President of the Belmont County Township Association and a Pultney Township trustee
Shaffer sees a need for local elected officials to better educate themselves on financial processes. He also says Belmont County needs better intergovernmental collaboration to ensure that public funds are distributed more fairly and efficiently.
