Retired Middletown finance director appointed in Clearcreek Twp.

The Clearcreek Twp. Board of Trustees today appointed former Middletown Finance Director Russ Carolus as the township’s new fiscal officer.

Carolus replaces Linda Oda, who stepped down last month midway through her second term in the elected office.

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Carolus retired in April 2013, ending a 30-year tenure with Middletown, according to an item in the city’s newsletter.

“His resume is superb. I think it’s a great opportunity for the township,” Clearcreek Twp. Administrator Matt Clark said on Monday.

Carolus started as an engineering co-op for the City of Middletown and worked his way up to finance director, according to newsletter item.

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“During his term as assistant finance director, he earned the Government Finance Officers Association’s Certified Public Finance Officers Program certificate,” the item added. “During his tenure as finance director, the city implemented many cutting-edge technology systems, including systems for police and fire divisions.”

Carolus is to be paid $31,064.25 a year. He could not be reached on Monday.

Clark said the township considered eight candidates, including Carolus, a township resident for more than 20 years.

Clark said he and the trustees interviewed five semi-finalists on Friday in executive session.

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“The board took the weekend to digest what they had heard and seen on Friday,” Clark said.

On Monday, the board discussed the two finalists in executive session before picking Carolus after returning to public session, according to Clark.

The Warren County Board of Elections was notified the elected office, which expires at the end of March 2020, had been filled.

The next fiscal officer election is in November 2019, Clark said.

Carolus, on vacation in Virginia, said he planned to run for the seat.

“I’m excited to be working with the trustees and administration to make sure the money and services provided are prudently and effectively paid for,” he said in a phone interview.

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