The fiscal officer of Valley Township, Jeffery Miser, has found himself and his bonding company on the hook for a considerable sum of taxpayer dollars. A finding for recovery in the amount of $8,155.87 was issued this past Tuesday, as Miser failed to settle the township's financial obligations in a timely manner. These delinquencies led to an accumulation of penalties, fees, and interest that the township is now obligated to pay.
As part of an exhaustive audit spanning two years, from the start of 2022 to the end of 2023, auditors unearthed that the township's tax withholdings and reports were not submitted as per the stipulated timelines. Due to these lapses, the township incurred $7,281.27 solely in penalties and related charges, as noted by the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office. Their assessment made it clear that these expenditures, borne out of "gross negligence," are considered unlawful as they serve no legitimate public interest.
Moreover, the auditors' review shed light on additional financial burdens shouldered by the township, which sprung from late payment fees and finance charges to various vendors. These payments only added to the tally when the township settled invoices beyond their due dates. These practices not only infringed upon the fiscal responsibility vested in the office of the fiscal officer but also indicated a disregard for the sound stewardship of public funds.
"Late payment fees, penalties, and interest incurred through gross negligence are illegal expenditures (that) do not serve a proper public purpose," the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office noted in their report. They emphasized that a more timely action with regard to fund remittance would have precluded the incurrence of such charges. The full report, which lays bare the fiscal missteps of the township's officer, has been published for public perusal on the state auditor's website.
