Funds OK'd for Ohio online checkbook initiative

COLUMBUS — A lawmaker panel OK’d up to $2.7 million in spending by the state treasurer’s office to pay for efforts to post details of local governments’ checkbooks in a publicly accessible online database.

The Controlling Board approved the request from Republican Josh Mandel’s office for up to $1.3 million in spending authority during the current fiscal year and $1.4 million-plus in fiscal 2017 toward the online checkbook efforts.

The funds would go to OpenGov, a California company contracted to complete the work.

Deputy Treasurer Seth Metcalf, appearing before lawmakers to answer questions, said the ultimate cost of the initiative will be determined once the office knows how many local governments commit to participating. The maximum totals approved today would cover all 4,000-plus local government offices, he told the board.