Newton Twp. placed on ‘unauditable’ list

Staff report

COLUMBUS

As a result of inadequate financial records, state Auditor Dave Yost has placed Newton Township on the “unauditable” list.

“Poor records lead to poor service for taxpayers,” Yost said. “Auditable records must be provided to complete the audit and ensure accountability to the citizens of Newton Township.”

During the course of the regular financial audit of Newton Township for the period Jan. 1, 2010, through Dec. 31, 2011, the Auditor of State’s office determined that the condition of the township’s financial records were not adequate to complete the audit.

In a letter to the township, the auditor’s office provided a list of records required to complete the audit. Within 90 days of the date of the letter, Newton Township must revise its financial records and provide the necessary data.

Peter Augusta, a Newton Township trustee, said the problem resulted from the transition between the former fiscal officer, Ella Johnson, and the one elected in November, Susan Montgomery.

Johnson used the QuickBooks program while serving as fiscal officer and converted the data to something the state auditor’s office could audit, Augusta said.

When Montgomery took over April 1, she only had the QuickBooks data and was unable to convert that to something acceptable to the state, Augusta said.

Johnson did not return a phone call Monday afternoon seeking comment.

The township has contracted with Auditor of State’s Local Government Section to help put the records in order. The work is done at a rate of $50 per hour, Augusta said.

An entity is removed from the “unauditable” list once the audit is completed and released to the public, Yost’s office said.