In recent fiscal news, the South Webster-Bloom Township Joint Fire District in Scioto County stumbled with a financial misstep. A finding for recovery of $1,079 was issued against the entity's fiscal officer, Bonnie Hardin, and her bonding company due to penalties and interest stemming from late tax payments.
The oversight, which encompasses four tax years from 2017 through 2020, involved delayed remittances to the Internal Revenue Service. As a result, the district incurred an additional $1,079, which auditors have deemed inconsiderate of the fiscal officer's responsibilities. The error was identified in an audit covering the fire district's financial activities from Jan. 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2023.
"This repeated failure to remit federal taxes timely is considered gross negligence," according to the Ohio Auditor of State report. Furthermore, the payment of interest and penalties by the Joint Fire District is highlighted as an improper utilization of public funds due to the untimely tax payments managed by the fiscal officer.
The full audit report is publicly accessible for those interested in the detailed financial review of the Joint Fire District. It can be found on the Ohio Auditor of State’s website, a resource that continues to encourage governmental transparency and accountability. Under the keen eyes of Auditor Keith Faber, the office audits thousands of state and local government agencies and also provides financial services thwarts public fraud and enhances government openness.
