ROSSFORD – Rossford City Council took the first steps toward asking voters to eliminate the position of
city treasurer.
The position, which has been vacant since the most recent occupant Leonard Michaels took a seat on the
Northwestern Water and Sewer District Board, is "an antiquated position," said Greg Marquette,
who chairs the council’s Judiciary Committee.
The duties once handled by the treasurer are now handled by the finance director, he added. "It’s
something of a duplication," he said. Overseeing the city’s financing also now needs more training.

Eliminating the position would require voter approval of a change to the charter.
Council asked law director to draw up the ballot language so the item can be put before voters in
November.
Both former treasurers at the meeting, Mayor Bill Verbosky and Councilman Ken Hermes, advocated the move.

Councilman Chuck Duricek noted many cities have eliminated the position. The city’s system of checks
ensures the needed oversight to the city’s finances. "It is a good system," he said.
Also at the meeting Finance Director Karen Freeman reported that the Regional Income Tax Authority has
identified more than $183,000 in back taxes owed to the city from 423 taxpayers. Of that $38,582 has
been collected to date.
Mayor Bill Verbosky said the city "is doing the best we can to collect what we can."
Council also approved spending an additional $6,970 to repair the used 1995 ladder truck purchased last
year.
Council had originally budgeted just over $20,000, but more work needed to be done.
Duricek, who owns an auto repair shop, said the additional cost was not unusual. "There’s stuff you
can’t tell until the engine’s opened up."
The truck, bought for $300,000, is still a bargain when compared to the $1.2 million cost of a new truck,
Verbosky said.