Fiscal officers, treasurers targeted in proposed bill

Although the Liberty School Dis- trict and the city of Campbell are not mentioned by name, Ohio Auditor Dave Yost undoubtedly had them in mind when he proposed legislation to boost accountability and penalize wrongdoing by public sector fiscal officers and treasurers.

The problems that have plagued the two entities have been well publicized and have been the subject of numerous editorials in this space. We have railed against the nonfeasance by former Liberty schools Treasurer Tracey Obermiyer and the sheer incompetence of former Campbell Finance Director Sherman Miles. Their failure to perform their statutory duties have caused undue problems for their employers.

The Fiscal Integrity Act, which Auditor Yost, state Rep. Christina Hagan and state Sen. Tim Schaffer have developed, is designed to “elevate the expectations and performance of our local fiscal officers,” Schaffer says.

Yost contends that being entrusted with taxpayer dollars “requires accountability and education,” which the bill provides.

Hagan is of the opinion that “accountability creates an environment where people are less likely to fall short.”

While we applaud the state auditor and the legislators for recognizing that even one “bad apple” is one too many, all the legislation in the world won’t ensure that the most qualified, honest and public-minded individuals occupy the positions of fiscal officer and treasurer. or positions filled through elections, the onus is on the voters; for non-elected posts, the appointing authorities have the responsibility.

In Campbell, a previous city council appointed Miles to the finance director’s job; Obermiyer was chosen by the board of education.

The case that prompted the state auditor to act involved the theft of nearly $3 million by a deputy treasurer in Stark County and the resulting legal challenges that led to the resignation of county Treasurer Gary Zeigler last October.

“One bad apple spoils the bunch and the worms must be rooted out,” Yost said in unveiling the Fiscal Integrity Act.

Remembering that the Liberty School District’s books kept by Obermiyer were deemed to be “unauditable” by the state, the proposed legislation calls for a treasurer to be suspended until the state audit is completed.

“The state board of education can suspend, revoke or limit the license of the treasurer,” the proposed bill says.

Thus far, nothing has happened to the former treasurer of Liberty schools. She has found a new job — even though it has been revealed that she overpaid herself while in Liberty.

Withholding payments

The legislation requires a school district with an “unauditable” declaration to present a plan to the state auditor within 45 days. “If the district has not made a reasonable effort to bring its records to an auditable condition, the auditor of state may notify the Ohio Department of Education, and state payments may be withheld.”

Once the audit is completed, the auditor “may” ask the state education department to release the funds.

With regard to what occurred in Campbell as a result of Miles’ not being able to reconcile the city’s books with bank statements — he said he did not know how to perform the task — the bill increases training requirements for township and municipal officers “to ensure that those who handle the public’s money are well-versed in Ohio public finance law.”

It seems to us that should be a condition of employment.