Gratis Township, Preble County, Ohio

Geography

Located in the southeastern corner of the county, it borders the following townships:

• Lanier Township - north
• Jackson Township, Montgomery County - northeast corner
• German Township, Montgomery County - east
• Madison Township, Butler County - southeast
• Wayne Township, Butler County - south
• Milford Township, Butler County - southwest corner
• Somers Township - west
• Gasper Township - northwest corner

Two incorporated villages are located in Gratis Township: Gratis in the north, and West Elkton in the south.

Name and history

According to tradition, Gratis Township's name is derived from the original request, namely "we think we ought to have the township gratis". It is the only Gratis Township statewide.

Government

The township is governed by a three-member board of trustees, who are elected in November of odd-numbered years to a four-year term beginning on the following January 1. Two are elected in the year after the presidential election and one is elected in the year before it. There is also an elected township fiscal officer, who serves a four-year term beginning on April 1 of the year after the election, which is held in November of the year before the presidential election. Vacancies in the fiscal officership or on the board of trustees are filled by the remaining trustees.

References

References

1. "Gratis township, Preble County, Ohio - Census Bureau Profile". United States Census Bureau.
2. (2007-10-25). "US Board on Geographic Names". [[United States Geological Survey]].
3. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
4. (1881). "History of Preble County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches". H. Z. Williams & Bro..
5. (2000). "Detailed map of Ohio". [[United States Census Bureau]].
6. [http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/503.24 §503.24], [http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/505.01 §505.01], and [http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/507.01 §507.01] of the [[Ohio Revised Code]]. Accessed 4/30/2009.