Press Release • Ohio Auditor of State
Auditor Yost Issues Statement on Passage of H.B. 103
Columbus – The following statement may be attributed to Auditor Dave Yost regarding the passage of House Bill 103. The legislation makes numerous changes to the membership of financial planning and supervision commissions, which assist local governments in escaping from fiscal emergency.
“I commend the legislature for its wisdom in passing House Bill 103, which will allow local governments to emerge more quickly from fiscal distress. These important changes will improve the balance of local control and state oversight on commissions, and gives local governments new options as they take steps toward solvency.”
Auditor Yost expressed sincere appreciation for the effort and support of Rep. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) and Sen. Lou Terhar (R-Green Township) for working to gain passage of the bill.
The bill revises who makes appointments to planning and supervision commissions and/or commission membership. The bill requires that appointees to the commissions be appointed in 15 days, whereas it can now take up to a year to seat a commission. It also frees local governments to make the best use of available funds.
As of Wednesday, June 28, there are 23 townships, villages, and cities in fiscal emergency in Ohio, one dating back to Sept. 29, 1997. The entire list can be found here.
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The Auditor of State’s office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,900 state and local government agencies. Under the direction of Auditor Dave Yost, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies and promotes transparency in government.
Contact:
Beth Gianforcaro
Press Secretary
614-644-1111