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Audit Finds $14K in Overpayments to Range Township Officials

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Columbus – Incorrect pay rates and a midterm raise resulted in a combined $14,047 in overpayments to four elected officials at Range Township (Madison County), state auditors found. 

An audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost determined that the township used the wrong pay level when calculating salaries for its fiscal officer and three trustees during 2015 and 2016. 

“It’s the duty of every township official to know where the township budget falls on the state’s pay scale,” Auditor Yost said. 

The Ohio Revised Code lists the rates at which fiscal officers and trustees may be paid based on a township’s annual budget. During both years, the township’s budget fell within the $500,000 to $750,000 annual budget level, but its elected officials were paid based on the higher $750,000 to $1.5 million level. 

Additionally, Fiscal Officer Luana Barker accepted a midterm pay increase during 2016 in violation of state law, which prohibits pay changes until the start of a new term.    

Auditors issued findings for recovery equal to the overpayment amounts listed below:

  • Fiscal Officer Luana Barker: $5,765
  • Trustee Dennis Marshall: $3,082
  • Trustee Mark Anthony: $2,632
  • Trustee Ronald Cress: $2,568

The officials repaid the full amount owed to the township in June. 

A copy of this audit report is available online

Click here to read more about the laws regulating compensation for township officials.

Map of Range Township's location in south central Madison County

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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:
Dominic Binkley
Public Information Officer
614-644-1111