Vicky Earhart has served as Anderson Township’s administrator for over 16 years, helping run the government for one of Cincinnati’s most populous suburbs.
In July, without an official township announcement or a public vote, the township’s three trustees agreed to replace her, telling The Enquirer they and Earhart mutually decided on the change.
The move came just seven months after Democrats took control of the board of trustees in the once reliable Republican stronghold, prompting criticism from local Republicans. The chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Party, himself a former Anderson Township trustee, called the move a “power grab.”
Earhart will leave her position in December, giving the township time to find a replacement.
Two trustees told The Enquirer the decision not to renew Earhart’s contract came during a private July 16 executive session. The personnel change was not announced at the trustees’ most recent public meeting later that day, which was also the same day Earhart acknowledged she received the notice stating her contract would not be renewed.
Trustee Tom Hodges, in a July 21 post on his personal Facebook page, wrote that Earhart’s contract would expire at the end of the year, praised her for her service, and said a search for her replacement would begin soon.
Earhart did not respond to a phone call, text and email asking why she was leaving and requesting an interview.
Two new Anderson Township trustees, both endorsed by the Democratic Party, told The Enquirer the decision not to renew Earhart’s contract was mutual.
“I mean, it’s strictly a personnel transition,” trustee Katie Nappi, one of the new Democratic trustees, said. “I wouldn’t characterize it as anything more beyond that.”
Who is the township administrator?
Earhart, 66, has served as administrator in this township of 44,000 – Ohio’s fifth largest township – for 16 years. She’s worked in various roles for the township since 1994, including as assistant administrator for operations.
As administrator, Earhart is responsible for supervising over 100 employees, running the township’s operations, and executing the board of trustees’ policies.
The previous board of trustees, which was controlled by Republicans, reappointed Earhart in February 2024, and her current contract is set to run through Dec. 31, 2026. In 2026, she is set to earn a salary of $159,500, according to a copy of an agreement obtained by The Enquirer.
Supervisor reviews included in her personnel file said Earhart regularly exceeded expectations in her role.
Why is she leaving?
Nappi and Hodges told The Enquirer they couldn’t disclose specific details about why Earhart’s contract wasn’t renewed because those conversations happened in executive session.
In a letter sent to Earhart on July 16, obtained by The Enquirer through a public records request, the trustees wrote the decision not to renew was “mutually agreed upon” and that Earhart did not fail to carry out her duties as administrator or commit any “unlawful act.”
“The Board of Township Trustees has not expressed any loss of confidence in your ability to perform your duties as Township Administrator nor have the Township Trustees expressed that the requisite relationship of trust and confidence between this Board and you no longer exists,” the letter reads.
The letter said Earhart will receive compensation and benefits through June 30, 2027.
Party chair alleges move is ‘power grab’
Josh Gerth, a former Anderson Township trustee and current Hamilton County Republican Party chairman, made a post on Facebook on July 20 pinning the decision to not renew Earhart’s contract on Nappi and Hodges, saying they were hurting the “collaborative culture” at the township.
Trustee races in Ohio are officially nonpartisan, but candidates do often seek party endorsements. Hodges and Nappi, endorsed by the Democratic Party, defeated Republican-backed incumbents Gerth and Lexi Lausten for seats on the board of trustees last November.
The board’s third trustee, independent Dee Stone, also signed the agreement to not renew Earhart’s contract. She did not respond to a call and email from The Enquirer seeking more information on the decision.
In a text message to The Enquirer, Gerth said he views Earhart as “simply the latest victim of their power grab.”
He spoke highly of Earhart, who he worked with during his 12 years as a trustee.
“I don’t know whether Vicky is a republican, a democrat an independent or simply doesn’t care about any of it because at the end of the day, her focus was always what is best for Anderson Township,” he said in the text.
Hamilton County voter registration lists show Earhart has not voted in any party primary, Democratic or Republican, since at least May 2022.
Hodges said Earhart’s departure isn’t part of any major plan to overhaul the township administration, noting that the “overwhelming majority” of the township’s over 100 staff members are still in their roles.
“Josh Gerth is absolutely entitled to his opinion, he is not entitled to his own facts,” Hodges said. “And the facts in this matter are extremely clear.”
Hodges said that while Earhart has been very successful in her time as administrator, “it can also be true that it’s time to make a change.” He said any personnel shift is meant to allow the current Anderson Township administration to pursue its priorities.
What’s next for Anderson Township?
Nappi said she understands residents will have questions about the leadership change.
“The thing I would, I think, reiterate to folks is that I’m committed to ensuring that we handle the transition professionally, that we ensure that township operations continue without disruption, and that we focus on the best search process going forward,” Nappi said.
Hodges said the trustees will likely meet in executive session before the board’s next public meeting Aug. 6 to discuss hiring an outside firm to lead the search for a new administrator. While the hired firm will ultimately guide the timeline, he hopes the position will be filled by Jan. 1.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Longtime Anderson Twp. administrator is out. GOP sees a ‘power grab’
Reporting by Mia Hilkowitz, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mia Hilkowitz, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
