Columbus – Nearly 2,000 local governments across Ohio will save $1.2 million in computer fees during the next year, Auditor of State Dave Yost said in announcing the fee holiday.

The 1,972 clients of the Uniform Accounting Network will not be required to pay the $50 monthly fee for hardware maintenance for the next year because the Auditor’s office was able to obtain prices below what was anticipated through competitive bidding and buying in volume.

“Saving a township, village, library or other government client $600 a year may not sound like much to some people, but I’ve witnessed how far local officials can stretch a buck, and $600 will be put to good use across this state,” Yost said. “That $600 can be used to pay a bill, make a repair, buy a piece of office equipment, some books or other supplies. I’d rather keep the $600 in the bank accounts of the local communities than send it to the state.”

This is the second fee holiday for UAN clients during Auditor Yost’s tenure, the first coming in 2014. The relief is prospective, meaning future fees are waived and the savings cannot be applied to any past due amounts. The fee waiver begins with the Nov. 30 billing. 

The UAN is a user-friendly financial software package created by the Auditor’s office to support the accounting, payroll and financial management activities of local governments in Ohio. The UAN, along with computer equipment and technical support provided by the Auditor’s office, makes it easier and more efficient for public officials to apply the required accounting standards to their financial record keeping.

The UAN is used by 90 percent of Ohio townships, 60 percent of its villages and half of the state’s public libraries.  

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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