WHAT MAKES TOM HART THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR COLERAIN TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER?

By Thomas J. "Tom" Hart

It is a combination of a moment in time -- Skill Sets -- Capability -- Availability -- Experience -- Level of Sophistication + finally the problems with the current fiscal operations.

Published reports have stated issues with accounts payable and missing budget reporting deadline.

It appears there is also:

• The lack of communications, relationships, and accounting data with the 6 operating departments in the township.
• Reports are not prepared on a regular and consistent basis.
• Bank deposits are not made on a daily basis.
• Bank reconciliations are not prepared on a timely basis.
• Budget report not filed on a timely basis.
• Vendors with an open line of credit have disallowed further transactions on numerous occasions.
• Late charges have been incurred because bills were not paid timely.

Every year I usually have some complex accounting systems or clients with a lack of adequate accounting systems that need vast assistance. I currently have such clients and projects. Next year the township would be my project for the year.

What I have concluded is that if the township were to hire consultants or a CFO that it would cost the township about $75,000 to $100,000 to pursue either path. As the budget crisis looms into the future years this project comes at the worst possible time in our history.

Personally, I would like to work on this challenge. Having done this work for many years I know that as a consultant it does not have to be implemented or implemented as designed. I have done the work for our firm over the last 36 years and created our operational infrastructure in our System 20/20. I have invested thousands of dollars in System 20/20 and thousand of hours of my own time to design, evaluate and maintain this system. It works very well and I am proud of it.

As a 37 year resident of Colerain Township, I have invested a significant amount of time behind the scenes with Colerain Township so that the base knowledge has already been established. Therefore, I could start off the process with a strong set of information and a deep understanding of the needs.

I have given this concept an incredible amount of thought of how this could be accomplished. I wake up in the morning with the concern of where we are going with all of these issues.

I know I have the right set of skills, experience, education, and passion to accomplish this agenda. I know there are not too many people in this world that have had a career preparing them for this job and possess the combined set of skills needed to complete the mission.

The major problem is that we have multiple issues facing Colerain Township at this particular moment in time. We need to look at the basic technology, the software, the communication system, budget crisis, accounting issues and a lack of system of basic internal control items.

On the positive side, I have heard that the UAN (Universal Accounting Network) programmers are open to recommendations. This is an area I have a depth of experience in that could be a great asset to not only Colerain Township but every township in the state of Ohio. That would be a very personal bit of accomplishment and satisfaction for me.

After many hours of consideration, prayer, consultation with my wife and a mental review of the entire mission, I have concluded my best contribution to Colerain Township and the least expensive cost to the township would be to run for the fiscal officer position. I would be available to see, evaluate, diagnose, design and implement the ideas on a continuous basis. I am not looking at a long term commitment to politics and I only care about what is happening in Colerain Township.