Columbus – Mark Township (Defiance County) went more than a year without paying the Village of Sherwood for fire and emergency medical services, according to an audit of the village released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Agreements between the neighboring communities required the township to pay the village a flat rate fee of $350 per run for emergency services provided from April 2012 through March 2015 and $300 per run from April 2015 through March 2018. According to contracts, failure to pay the agreed-upon amounts could result in termination of the deal.

The township discontinued its payments to the village in September 2014, but the village continued to provide emergency medical services on behalf of the township. As of Dec. 31, 2015, the township owed the village $7,300 for services provided in 2014 and 2015. 

“If you rely on another community for emergency services, you need to pay the bills,” Auditor Yost said. “In addition to the finding for recovery, Mark Township owes the Village of Sherwood gratitude for its continued services despite a lack of payment.”

A $7,300 finding for recovery was issued against the township, $900 of which was repaid to the village on July 5, 2016.  

A full copy of this report is available online. 

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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 5,800 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:
Ben Marrison
Director of Communications
614-644-1111