By John Kiesewetter
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LIBERTY TWP. - Township trustees have followed up the firing of Administrator Barry Tiffany with a comprehensive policy detailing proper use of township telephones, voice mail, e-mail, computers or other electronic devices.

"We want to make sure that everyone understands that township communications equipment is to be used for just that, and nothing else ... so that nobody makes the same mistake in the future," said Trustee David Kern.

Tiffany was fired Jan. 7 for adding a cell phone for his girlfriend to the township's Nextel account on Oct. 2.

Township Clerk Roger Reynolds said Tiffany will be asked to reimburse the township at least $722 for the cell phone. Reynolds also has asked the state auditor's office to review all of Tiffany's expenditures during his 13 months as administrator, acting administrator and zoning supervisor. That review has not been conducted yet, says Christine Matacic, trustee president and acting township administrator.

The policy adopted Monday prohibits personal use of cell phones, mobile phones, pagers and voice mail with certain exclusions.

Employees "are permitted to make and receive limited personal calls that are urgent, difficult or impractical to schedule outside work hours. Such calls shall be infrequent and as brief as possible," according to the resolution. Employees also must reimburse the township for personal long-distance calls.

Liberty becomes the second Butler County township in a week to adopt a strict policy about township property after allegations of misuse.

Trustees in neighboring West Chester Township last week adopted a policy about storing personal property at township facilities after Administrator David Gully and now-former Trustee Dave Tacosik had parked their boats at the police impound lot.

The state auditor's office ruled that the two West Chester officials violated state law by "receiving something of value from the township free of charge." The auditor has sent the findings to the Ohio Ethics Commission and Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper "for whatever action they deem necessary," the auditor said.

E-mail jkiesewetter@enquirer.com