Montgomery

Barlowhonored

Washington Twp. Finance Director Mike Barlow was recognized with the “Jesse Haines Award” to honor his years of dedicated public service as a government finance official. Montgomery County Auditor Karl Keith presented Barlowwith the award remotely at a township meeting on Jan. 4.

Keith established the award to acknowledge local government finance professionals who have excelled in the performance of their duties andwho have served their community with integrity. Barlowwas nominated byWashington Twp. Fiscal Officer Gary Smiga and Washington Twp. Administrator Jesse Lightle.

Barlow will retire in July after 30 years of service to Washington Twp. During his tenure, Barlow’s diligent financial management has not gone unrecognized. Although state audits are required only every two years, Washington Twp. conducts them annually in order to maintain the highest accountability to taxpayers. Under Barlow’s financial leadership, the township has received 29 consecutive unqualified opinions from the Auditor of State, one for each year of Barlow’s service. The most recent audit provided the Township a 4-STaRS rating fromthe Auditor of State, the highest achievement in Open and Transparent Government.

Additionally, Barlowprovided ongoing leadership on the township’s more than 20 property tax levies. In his tenure as finance director, he has explained levy costs and benefits to the public. Due to his dedication and thoroughness, the level of voter support has been high for township property tax levies, with all but onepassingover the past30years.

The award is named in honor of Jesse Haines, who served as Montgomery County Auditor for nearly 28 years. Aside from being the longest-serving auditor in Montgomery County history, Haines is also immortalized in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He had a long career as a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched a no-hitter and played on three World Series teams before returning to Phillipsburg

and becoming county auditor.