Ohioans looking to keep tabs on how their tax dollars are being spent will be interested to know that Ohio's Auditor of State Keith Faber's office has released a new slate of audit reports. These reports, which are part of the office's ongoing mission to root out fraud, waste and abuse of public funds, were made public today for a diverse array of entities across various counties in Ohio.
The Auditor's office, which audits all public entities in Ohio, released findings that range from financial audits to compliance examinations. According to the Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber’s official press release, entities like the Brown Metropolitan Housing Authority and the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority underwent a financial audit for the 2024-2025 period, while Logan County's Land Reutilization Corporation was audited for the 2023-2024 period. In Clinton County, the Village of New Vienna's financial statements were examined for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
As part of the announcement, several audits were conducted by Independent Public Accountants (IPA), marking a partnered effort in ensuring accuracy and thoroughness. For instance, entities in Defiance, Hamilton, and Ross Counties, including Community Improvement Corporations and city governments, had their financial audits completed by IPAs for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 periods.
The audits conducted also included Agreed Upon Procedures, which are targeted audits on specific areas, such as the real estate assessment practices in Brown County for the 2024-2025 period. These audits are crucial in providing transparency and maintaining public trust in local governments' management of resources. Entities like the Village of Cloverdale in Putnam County faced Findings for Recovery (FFR) as well, indicating potential irregularities during the 2023-2024 audit period.
Additionally, the Auditor's office carried out Compliance Examinations, particularly in the field of Medicaid Program Integrity (MED). Lifeline Homecare Services, LLC, in Franklin County, and Empowered for Excellence Behavioral Health of Ohio in Lucas County were involved in these examinations for 2021-2023, scrutinizing adherence to regulations over an extended period.
Public accountability remains a cornerstone of democratic governance. With the release of these audits, Ohio's Auditor of State demonstrates an ongoing commitment to that principle, ensuring that institutions, whether they are small townships or large metropolitan housing authorities, operate within the framework of the law and to the benefit of Ohioans who entrust them with their hard-earned money.
