Ohio auditor defends change in fees

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio schools and communities complain that a change in the fees for state audits is another blow, on the heels of big cuts in state funding.

A bipartisan legislative panel this week gave Auditor Dave Yost an OK to charge $41 an hour for audits conducted by his office. The Columbus Dispatch reports the hourly rates being replaced next month are as low as $24, so the change will generate $5.2 million more for Yost’s office over two years.

Yost says in a statement that good audits cost money. He says his office does what it can to keep the costs low.

Schools and government entities must have their books audited annually if they take federal funding. Audits are required every other year if only state money is received.