Barberton, Ohio - Government Services and Programs

Mayor's Office
The Mayor is an elected position serving a four year term. According to City charter, the Mayor is recognized as the chief executive officer of the City. His duties and powers include the following: to supervise the administration of the City's affairs; to exercise control over all departments and divisions; to enforce all laws and ordinances; to prepare and submit the annual budget; to keep Council advised as to the financial condition and needs of the City; to appoint promote, transfer, reduce, or remove any officer or employee of the City (except elected officials); and to cause all terms and conditions imposed in favor of the City or its inhabitants in any franchise or contract to which the City is a party to be faithfully kept and performed.

Barberton Sports Complex
The Barberton Sports Complex represents a cooperative effort between the city and the Barberton Community Foundation. The complex was in the construction phase in 2001 and is scheduled to be completed in 2002. The complex will contain various playing fields and facilities such as lighted baseball/softball fields and football fields. The Parks Maintenance division will be responsible for maintaining the complex.

Beautification Fund
The Beautification Fund accounts for revenues received from Federal and State grants, grants from the Barberton Community Foundation and donations. These monies are then required to be used for various beautification projects throughout the city. Examples of typical beautification projects include the annual Mum-Fest and the Christmas lighting display at Lake Anna. The Program Managers are the head of the Beautification Division and are appointed by the Director of Public Service. Within the city of Barberton, the Program Manager positions are part-time positions.

Building Inspections
The Building Commissioner is the head of the Building Inspections Division and is appointed by the Mayor. Administratively, the Building Inspections Department is considered to be part of the Department of Public Service. As such, the Building Commissioner reports to the Director of Public Service. The Building Inspections Division is primarily responsible for conducting building, electrical, housing, zoning and various other types of inspections of structures within the city. In addition, the Building Inspections Division is also responsible for the issuance of licenses and permits to all developers, consultants, contractors and general public wishing to develop within the city of Barberton.

Civil Service Commission
City Charter establishes a three member Civil Service Commission that is appointed by the Mayor with the consent of city Council. The Civil Service commission is responsible for prescribing, amending and enforcing rules for the classification of positions in the civil service, for position examinations and resignations, and for position appointments, promotions, removals, transfers, layoffs, suspensions, reductions and reinstatements. In Barberton, the Civil Service Commission has one part-time employee.

Engineering
The city Engineer is the head of the Engineering Division and is appointed by the Mayor. Administratively, the Engineering Division is considered to be part of the Department of Public Service. As such, the city Engineer reports to the Director of Public Service. In Barberton, the city Engineer is a part-time position. The Engineering Division is primarily responsible for the design and construction activities related to city streets, sidewalks, sewer and water utilities, bridges and facilities, and properties.

To continue providing quality engineering services to various city departments.
To review and approve plans for new developments, allotments and improvements for compliance with city standards and development codes.
To issue permits for improvements in the street right-of-way and inspect all work completed within the right-of-way.
To coordinate the completion of the Barberton Sports Complex.

Finance Department
Management of the Finance Department is the responsibility of the Finance Director. In the city of Barberton, the Finance Director is an elected position, serving a term of four years. The Finance Department is responsible for keeping the financial records of the city, maintaining an accurate listing of all properties owned by the city, investing and disbursing all monies of the city, issuing debt and assisting the Mayor and Council in the preparation of estimates, budgets and other financial matters. In addition, the Finance Department is also responsible for various general accounting procedures including financial reporting, budgetary reporting, payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable.

To continue efforts to provide quality and timely services to all Finance Dept. users.
To receive award for preparing Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports in conformity with the Government Finance Officer Association guidelines for reporting excellence.
To prepare budgets and other documents that allow users to obtain an enhanced understanding of the city's operations.
To take initial steps to implement the Governmental Accounting Standards Board statement by contracting for an infrastructure survey.
To have all months closed and reports distributed within three business days of month-end.

Fire Department
The Fire Chief is the head of the Fire Department. According to city Charter, the Fire Department administratively falls within the Department of Public Safety. As such, the Fire Chief is appointed by and reports to the Director of Public Safety. With approximately 46 full-time employees and an operating budget of approximately $3.8 million, the Fire Department is the second largest department within the city. The Fire Department's primary responsibilities include fire suppression, prevention, investigation, education, code enforcement, rescue, hazardous materials mitigation and emergency medical services for the citizens and visitors of the city of Barberton.

To implement two new medic units that would allow for the retirement of the 1992 Chevy and the placement of the 1997 Ford as a reserve medic unit.
To purchase a new pumper truck to replace the 1979 pumper that failed annual pump tests.
To continue promoting the replacement of Fire Station #2.
To continue upgrading fire fighting equipment and personal safety gear.
To replace the Station #1 emergency generator and self-contained breathing air compressor.
To repair Tower #1 turntable so it will be able to perform on the fire ground.

Human Resources
The Human Resources Director is the head of the Human Resources Department and is appointed by the Mayor. Some of the duties of the Human Resources include working with civil service and department heads of the recruitment and selection of new employees, administering employee benefits, monitoring compliance with various work standards such as the city's CDL drug testing, administering and monitoring the grievance process, negotiating and administrating labor contracts, maintaining job descriptions, maintaining employees' personnel files and completing other duties as requested by other departments.

To continue to provide human resource support to all city departments.
To successfully conclude negotiations with the four expired union contracts.
To monitor and assist in the resolution of pending legal issues.
To complete job descriptions for all city employees.

Income Tax
The Income Tax Fund accounts for the revenues received from the city's two percent income tax. The only expenditures that are accounted for in the Income Tax Fund are operating costs of the individuals working in the Income Tax Division. The remaining fund balance is transferred out to other funds. The Income Tax Division is primarily responsible for processing and auditing income tax returns, handling income tax delinquencies, processing and issuing refunds, maintaining information on income tax accounts and presenting income tax cases in court. The Income Tax Administrator is the head of the Income Tax Division and is appointed by the Finance Director.

To increase revenues by locating non-filers.
To reduce current receivables.
To locate and record all rental housing and landlords.
To bring the Income Tax Division in compliance with House Bill 477.

Information Systems Office
This office consists of two individuals (1.75 FTEs-one employee splits her time between the Clerk of Court's Office and the Information Systems Office) who report to the Public Safety Director and are responsible for centralizing the city's procurement, implementation, management and maintenance of computer technology. The Information Systems office serves all the departments throughout the city and 2001 is its first year of formal operation.

To continue to provide information system support to all city departments.
To provide e-mail and Internet capabilities to outlying departments.
To monitor overtime and capital expenditures.
To decrease dependancy on consultants.

Judges
The Municipal Court Judges consist of two judges who are each publicly elected and serve six-year terms. In addition to directly managing six full-time staff and a departmental budget of approximately $467,000 the Judges are also responsible for hearing civil lawsuits where the amount being considered is not more than $15,000 as well as various types of criminal cases such as felonies, misdemeanors and traffic violations. The jurisdiction of the Barberton Municipal Court encompasses the Cities of Barberton, Green and Norton, the Village of Clinton and the Townships of Coventry and Franklin. In addition, The Barberton Municipal Court also has jurisdiction over all of Copley Township except within the city of Fairlawn.

Law Department
Management of the Law Department is the responsibility of the Law Director. In the city of Barberton, the Law Director is an elected position, serving a term of four years. According to city Charter, the Law Department is responsible for preparing all contracts, bonds and other instruments in writing in which the city is concerned. The Law Department also represents the city in all legal proceedings and serves as the prosecuting attorney of the municipal court. Additionally, the Law Department functions as the chief legal advisor of all offices, departments, commissions, boards, agencies, officers and employees of the city in matters relating to their official powers and duties.

Municipal Clerk of Court
Within the city of Barberton, the Municipal Clerk of Courts is an elected position serving a term of six years. The clerk's office serves the communities of Barberton, Green, Norton, Copley, Franklin, Coventry and Clinton. The primary duty of this position is to oversee the operation of the Clerk of Courts Office. In general, the Clerk of Courts Office is responsible for creating and maintaining case files, developing records retention policies and procedures which ensure the safety of all court records as well as receiving and disbursing all funds (over $2.0 million dollars in 2001) pertaining to the court.

To continue efforts to provide quality and timely services to all citizens that use the Barberton Municipal Court .
To make additional training opportunities available for employees in an effort to further the professionalism of the Clerk of Courts Office.

Paint/Signal
The Paint/Signal Office consists of three full-time employees who are responsible for painting all roads, traffic signs and other signs that are posted on or near roads around the city. In addition, the Paint/Signal Office is also responsible for implementing and maintaining city owned traffic signals, city owned outdoor lighting around the city. The Paint/Signal Office reports to the Director of Public Service.

To complete the re-signalization of Wooster Road for the entire length of the artery.
To implement a central command system located in dispatch to control all signals on Wooster Road corridor.
To continue the installation of permanent electric power around Lake Anna.
To upgrade all corporation limit signs throughout the city.
To upgrade stop signs to engineering grade surfaces to afford greater visibility and safety.

Parks & Recreation
City Charter establishes a five member Parks and Recreation Commission. Of the five members, three are appointed by the Mayor with confirmation from city Council and two are appointed by the Barberton Board of Education with confirmation from Council. In turn, city Charter calls for the Parks and Recreation Commission to appoint a Director of Parks and Recreation and if necessary, an Assistant Director. The Parks Administration budget title refers to the part of the operating budget necessary for the Director and Assistant Director to manage the operations of the Parks and Recreation Department. According to city Charter, the Director of Parks and Recreation is responsible for controlling, equipping, and managing parks, playgrounds, play fields, gymnasiums, swimming pools, indoor recreation centers and any lands or buildings owned or used by the city for park or recreation purposes.

To provide quality recreation, social and fitness programs, services and events for the citizens of Barberton.
To continue efforts in accomplishing goals set forth by the Parks and Recreation Commission 'Master Plan 2010'.
To manage and operate property and facilities (i.e. Community Fitness Center, Senior Center, etc.) in a manner that will provide affordable, quality recreation for all users.

Parks Maintenance
The Parks Maintenance division consists of a manager, six full-time employees and a number of seasonal/part-time employees who are responsible for providing and maintaining clean, safe and functional park facilities for the citizens and visitors of the city of Barberton. The primary duties completed by the Parks Maintenance Division include grass mowing, fertilizing, weed control, planting flowers, tree trimming and removal, debris and litter pickup and other general maintenance duties. The employees in the Parks Maintenance Division report to the Parks Maintenance manager who in turn reports to the Director of Public Service.

To provide the public with a safe and well-maintained parks system.
To renovate the Decker Park pavilion.
To resurface the parking lot at Webb Park.
To reside the maintenance building at McCafferty Park.
To install new backstops and line fencing on the little league fields.
To improve drainage on current ball fields by adding ball mix.

Parks Recreation Programs
The Parks Recreation Programs represents a General Fund budgetary classification used to account for wages and other expenditures incurred in providing recreational opportunities to the citizens and visitors of Barberton. The Parks and Recreation Department provides a wide range of recreational activities including adult and youth sports leagues, special programs and features (summer fireworks) as well as performing creative arts activities (band concerts at Lake Anna and Lake Anna Arts and Crafts Festival). All wages and benefits accounted for in the Parks and Recreation Programs budget are for part-time/seasonal employees.

Planning
City Charter establishes a five member Planning Commission. All of the members of the Planning Commission are appointed by the Mayor with confirmation from city Council. The city Charter also calls for the Planning Commission to appoint a Director of city Planning. The Planning Division is responsible for planning and providing regulations relating to the platting of all lands within the city, making regulations as to the manner in which streets and other public ways shall be graded and improved as well as regulating the manner and extent to which water, sewer, and other utility mains, piping or other facilities shall be installed. Additionally, the Planning Division also engages in and maintains the strategic and capital plans for the city.

Police Department
The Police Chief is the head of the Police Department and reports to Director of Public Safety. With approximately 57 full-time employees and an operating budget of approximately $4.6 million, the Police Department is the largest department within the city. The Police Department's primary responsibility is to serve and protect the citizens and visitors of the city of Barberton. The Police Department carries out this responsibility by completing various tasks such as patrolling the city, responding to calls for service, investigating crimes, apprehending offenders, processing crime scenes and enforcing traffic laws and regulations.

To maintain staffing levels in the police, dispatch and civilian positions at levels necessary to ensure the safety of the citizens and police personnel.
To continue updating the dispatch and records systems by replacing the current computer aided dispatch system.
To begin implementing systems to provide cruisers with computer stored information.
To seek additional grants to fund Police Department initiatives.

Safety Director's Office
The Safety Director is the head of the Department of Public Safety and is appointed by the Mayor. According to the city Charter, the Safety Director is the supervising authority responsible for the Police and Fire Divisions as well as the Paint/Signal Division. Within these divisions, the Safety Director is charged with the duty of enforcing all police, health, safety and sanitary regulations that may be prescribed by ordinances and rules of the city or the general laws of the State of Ohio.

To complete contract negotiations with the Police, Fire and Dispatch Unions.
To replace the 911 system and computer aided dispatch records .
To continue the upgrading of corporation limit signs throughout the city.
To assist Mayor with accomplishing his safety related goals and objectives for the city.
To provide, to the best of our abilities and resources, effective police and fire services that ensures the safety of citizens and visitors of Barberton as well as police and fire personnel.
To provide each department head with the resources and assistance needed to accomplish their goals.
To complete the installation of the Data System in individual police cruisers to allow for direct interfaces with the National Crime Information Center records system.

Senior Center Programs
The city of Barberton operates a senior center in an effort to provide senior citizens with various recreational opportunities. The staffing for the senior center consists of one full-time employee and several part-time employees. Employee wages and benefits are the only items accounted for in the General Fund. The cost of operations are paid from the proceeds of a trust and are accounted for as an agency fund. Senior center employees report to the Director of Parks and Recreation.

Service Director's Office
The Service Director is the head of the Department of Public Service and is appointed by the Mayor. According to the city Charter, the Service Director is the supervising authority responsible for the Building Inspection Division, the Engineering Division and the Utility Division. Within these divisions, the Service Director is charged with the construction, improvement, repair and maintenance of streets, sidewalks, alleys, lanes, bridges; of water mains, pumps, systems, pipes, purification and filtration plants, as well as the water distribution system; of sewers, sewage systems, drains, ditches, culverts, streams, watercourses; and of all public buildings and other public places belonging to the city or dedicated to public use.

To have all departments under Service Director's supervision work as functional team.
To provide safe, reliable and efficient services to the citizens of Barberton by continuing to improve our departments.
To continue providing high quality customer service to the citizens of Barberton at the lowest possible cost.
To assist Mayor with accomplishing his goals and objectives for the city.
To provide each department head with the resources and assistance needed to accomplish their goals.
To improve the physical appearance of all city-owned buildings and properties.

Street Maintenance & Repair
The Street Maintenance and Repair Fund accounts for a portion of the revenues received from the State through the gasoline tax (tax is $.22 for every gallon of gas used) and the undivided auto tax (tax on vehicle registration) programs. These revenues are required by the State to be used in maintaining the streets within the city. Accordingly, all expenditures within this fund are related to street maintenance and repair. The Street Division is primarily responsible for all road maintenance which includes, but is not limited to, sealing, crack sealing, resurfacing and snow and ice control. The Street Superintendent is the head of the Street Division and is appointed by the Director of Public Service.

Utilities
Sewage Fund
The Sewage Fund accounts for sanitary sewer services provided to residential and commercial users within the city. The Sewer Division is under the direction of the Utilities Director (reports to Director of Public Service) and is comprised of four subdivisions: Administration, Treatment Plant, Industrial Pretreatment and Collection System. These four subdivisions are responsible for operating and maintaining the city's sewer system which includes sanitary, storm and combined sewer systems. Sewer collection and treatment services are provided to approximately 10,500 customers in and around the Barberton area.

To complete east side sanitary flow study and determine bypass sewer requirements.
To evaluate the feasibility and benefits of a water reuse utility.
To install a sewer pump station and force main to service the New Haven development area.

Water Fund
The Water Fund accounts for water services provided to residential and commercial users within the city. The Water Division is under the direction of the Utilities Director and is comprised of three subdivisions: Administration, Water Plant and Water Distribution. These subdivisions are primarily responsible for operating and maintaining the city's water system and for providing the citizens with an uninterrupted supply of high-quality drinking water and the essential accounting and customer service functions. Water distribution and treatment services are provided to approximately 11,000 customers in and around the Barberton area.

To complete east side sanitary flow study and determine bypass sewer requirements.
To evaluate the feasibility and benefits of a water reuse utility.
To install a sewer pump station and force main to service the New Haven development area.