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Press Release Ohio Auditor of State

Auditor Yost Reviews Sunshine Law Procedures of 48 Entities

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Columbus – Auditor of State Dave Yost reviewed public records policies and procedures of 48 government entities, giving recommendations to 19 for improvements.

“Our recommendations are guidelines for public offices,” Auditor Yost said. “Sunshine Week creates an opportunity for everyone to be brought up to speed on Ohio’s public records laws.”

This year, 40 entities from across the state were tested during regular financial audits. Eight additional entities that had recommendations in 2013 received follow-up reviews. The most widely issued recommendations include, keeping a log of public records requests, making copies of responses to requests and assigning a central point of contact for each office or department. 

Audits Containing Repeat Sunshine Law Recommendations:

Allen County
Crawford County
City of Bowling Green (Wood)

City of Portsmouth (Scioto)
City of Harrison (Hamilton)

Audits Containing Sunshine Law Recommendations:

Blanchester Local School District (Clinton)
Cuyahoga County
City of Dover (Tuscarawas)
Marion City School District (Marion)
Miami County
Village of Cardington (Morrow)
Village of Woodsfield (Monroe)

Ottawa County
City of Akron (Summit)
Village of Trimble (Athens)
Van Wert County
Wayne County
Village of New Lexington (Perry)
Village of Lowellville (Mahoning)

Audits Containing No Sunshine Law Recommendations:

City of Ashtabula (Ashtabula)
City of Beavercreek (Greene)
City of Cambridge (Guernsey)
City of Elyria (Lorain)
City of Green (Summit)
City of Grove (City Franklin)
City of Kirtland (Lake)
City of Oxford (Butler)
City of Trotwood (Montgomery)
City of Troy (Miami)
City of Wauseon (Fulton)
Clark County
Clermont County
Cleveland Metroparks (Cuyahoga)
Gallia County

Geauga County
Henry County
Hillsboro City School District (Highland)
Johnstown-Monroe LSD (Licking)
Knox County
Medina County
Noble County
Sandusky County
Stark County
Toronto City School District (Jefferson)
Trumbull County
Village of Columbus Grove (Putnam)
Village of Paulding (Paulding)
Warren County

 

The audits analyzed procedures to determine if each entity has controls in place to ensure compliance with the Ohio Public Records Act. Among the standards examined were the existence and strength of a public records policy, records retention schedules and timely fulfillment of public records requests.

 

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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:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111