Columbus - Failure to produce annual financial reports prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost to place the Monclova Township-Village of Whitehouse Joint Economic Development District (Lucas County) on the “unauditable” list. 

“Poorly kept books create a lack of accountability,” Auditor Yost said. “The Monclova Township-Village of Whitehouse Joint Economic Development District must bring its records back to an auditable condition.” 

As part of the audit of the Monclova Township-Village of Whitehouse Joint Economic Development District for the period January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2014, auditors determined that the condition of the district’s financial records is not adequate to finish the audit. In a letter to the district, the Auditor of State’s office notified officials the records were required to complete the audit. 

Within 90 days of the date of the letter, the district must revise its financial records and provide the necessary data. Failure to bring accounts, records, and reports to an auditable condition may result in legal action, including the possibility of the attorney general issuing a subpoena to district officials to explain the condition of records. The attorney general may also file suit to compel the officials to prepare and/or produce the required information. 

The Auditor of State’s Local Government Section (LGS) is available to district officials to assist in bringing records to an auditable condition. LGS provides a wide variety of services to local governments, including reconstructing financial records and aid in the reconciliation of books. An entity is removed from the “unauditable” list once the audit is completed and released to the public.

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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.