For Immediate Release

COLUMBUS – Auditor of State Keith Faber declared a fiscal emergency Thursday for Madison Township in Fairfield County, after an analysis of the township’s finances confirmed fund deficits that exceeded what is allowed under state law.

For Immediate Release

For Immediate Release

For Immediate Release

A substantial deficit in township funds prompted Auditor of State Keith Faber to place Wayne Township (Auglaize County) into fiscal watch today.

Past due accounts payable, deficit fund balances, and a treasury deficiency prompted Auditor of State Keith Faber today to place the Village of Newtonsville (Clermont County) in fiscal emergency. 

Today Auditor of State Keith Faber released Franklin Township (Richland County) from fiscal caution status.

Auditor of State Keith Faber released the City of Niles (Trumbull County) from fiscal emergency today because of their improved financial practices and elimination of fund deficits. 

Auditor of State Keith Faber today placed Niles City School District in a state of fiscal emergency after the school district failed to comply with their state approved financial recovery plan. 

Significant deficiencies and material weakness, indeterminable fund balances, and unreconciled journals and ledgers has prompted Auditor of State Keith Faber to place the Village of Harrisburg (Franklin County) in a state of fiscal caution.

St. Clair Township has regained financial stability after spending more than four and a half years in a state of fiscal emergency, Auditor of State Dave Yost announced today. 

Auditor of State Dave Yost today placed the Village of Bridgeport in a state of fiscal emergency after the village defaulted on outstanding debts.    

Newton Township in Trumbull County has regained financial stability after spending six years in a state of fiscal caution, Auditor of State Dave Yost announced today.

The City of Chillicothe has restored its financial health after spending six years in a state of fiscal caution, Auditor of State Dave Yost announced today.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released Rush Township in Scioto County from fiscal caution – a designation it has held since 2014.

Financial stability has returned to the Village of Manchester, where officials and citizens have spent the past 21 years navigating the longest financial crisis in state history. 

Cities Challenged to Address Buildings, Infrastructure and Other Capital Needs

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released a report on the latest Financial Health Indicators for Ohio’s cities and counties which shows 100 cities are spending more than they take in and are relying on reserves to stay in the black. The data also show delayed investment by many of Ohio’s 247 cities into capital assets, such as buildings, infrastructure and other large capital purchases.

The City of Galion has achieved financial stability by erasing $8 million in fund deficits and addressing a $4.4 million treasury deficiency, Auditor of State Dave Yost announced today. 

The Ohio Auditor of State’s “Financial Health Indicators” (FHI) tool has earned a Government Experience Award from the Center for Digital Government, recognizing the office for its achievement in technology. 

The Village of Tiro has achieved financial stability after spending almost six years in a state of fiscal emergency, Auditor of State Dave Yost announced today.  

Auditor of State Dave Yost today elevated the Niles City School District to a state of fiscal watch after its Board of Education failed to put forth a financial recovery plan.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today elevated the City of Alliance (Stark County) to a state of fiscal watch after city officials failed to put forth an acceptable financial recovery plan. 

Auditor of State Dave Yost today announced that the Brookfield Local School District (Trumbull County) has achieved financial stability after spending almost five years in fiscal emergency.

By Dave Yost, Ohio Auditor of State

Few things can be as traumatic to a county, school district, city, village or township as being declared to be in fiscal emergency as a result of defaulting on debt, failing to make payroll or running fund deficits.

Few things can be as traumatic to a county, school district, city, village or township as being declared to be in fiscal emergency as a result of defaulting on debt, failing to make payroll or running fund deficits.

Dwindling balances in more than a dozen funds today prompted Auditor Yost to place the City of Alliance (Stark County) in a state of fiscal caution. 

Auditor of State Dave Yost today placed the Village of Grover Hill (Paulding County) in a state of fiscal emergency after a fiscal analysis revealed a fund deficit and treasury deficiencies. 

Enhancements to ‘FHI’ Tool Allow for Deeper, Regional Analysis

Nine cities and one county are showing signs of financial stress for fiscal year 2016, with nearly two-thirds of Ohio’s county governments showing an increase in the number of “critical” or “cautionary” warnings, according to the second annual “Financial Health Indicators” report.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the Village of West Mansfield (Logan County) from fiscal emergency after local officials took steps to put the village back on a sound financial footing.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today announced that Bloom Township (Scioto County) has regained financial stability after spending more than 12 years in fiscal emergency.

Auditor Yost today released the Village of Leipsic (Putnam County) from fiscal emergency, a status it held for more than seven years.

The Village of Bloomingburg (Fayette County) today became just the second local government to be released from the state’s fiscal caution designation without slipping further into fiscal distress.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today announced that the Village of Patterson (Hardin County) has achieved financial stability after spending more than four years in fiscal emergency.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today announced that the Village of Portage (Wood County) has achieved financial stability after spending nearly 8 1/2 years in fiscal emergency.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today announced that the City of Wellston (Jackson County) has achieved financial stability after spending nearly eight years in fiscal emergency.

Auditor Yost today released the Village of Edgerton (Williams County) from fiscal emergency, a status it held for more than three and a half years.

The following statement may be attributed to Auditor Dave Yost regarding the passage of House Bill 103. The legislation makes numerous changes to the membership of financial planning and supervision commissions, which assist local governments in escaping from fiscal emergency. 

Auditor of State Dave Yost today placed the Village of Mount Sterling (Madison County) in a state of fiscal emergency due to substantial deficit fund balances.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today issued the following statement regarding the release of Central State University (Greene County) from fiscal watch by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the City of Massillon (Stark County) from fiscal emergency, a status it held for more than three years.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the Bellaire Local School District (Belmont County) from fiscal emergency, a status it held for more than seven years.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today issued the following statement regarding the pending release of Owens State Community College from fiscal watch by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the East Knox Local School District (Knox County) from fiscal emergency, a status it held for more than two years.

Updated financial data for Fayette County shows the entity is not in high fiscal stress. The recently-released Financial Health Indicators tool identified Fayette as one of 16 cities and/or counties that had the characteristics of highly stressed entities. 

Ohio Auditor of State Dave Yost today released a new tool to help cities and counties better assess their financial health and make informed budgetary decisions to avoid potential future fiscal stress.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the Mansfield City School District (Richland County) from fiscal emergency, a status it held for three years. 

Auditor of State Dave Yost today placed the Village of Wellsville (Columbiana County) in a state of fiscal emergency for its third time, the most for any local government since the designation was created in 1979.  

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the Village of Lakemore (Summit County) from fiscal emergency, a status it held for more than six years. 

Auditor of State Dave Yost elevated the City of Norwood (Hamilton County) to a state of fiscal emergency today as a result of deficit fund balances. The city has spent the past 12 years in fiscal watch.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the Niles City School District (Trumbull County) from fiscal watch, a status it held for more than 13 years.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the Village of Newcomerstown (Tuscarawas) from fiscal emergency, a status it held for more than four and a half years. 

Auditor of State Dave Yost placed the City of Fostoria in a state of fiscal emergency today as a result of deficit fund balances.  

Auditor of State Dave Yost placed the Village of Newtonsville (Clermont County) in a state of fiscal caution today and added it to the “unauditable list” as a result of significant deficiencies in its financial records.

The inability to submit an acceptable financial recovery plan that eliminates the projected current year deficit prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost to place the Coventry Local School District (Summit County) in a state of fiscal emergency.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released Hamilton Township (Warren County) from fiscal emergency, a status it has held since April 2014. 

Past due accounts payables, deficit fund balances and a treasury deficiency prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the Village of Clarksville (Clinton County) in a state of fiscal emergency.

Default on debt and past due accounts payables prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the Village of Green Camp in a state of fiscal emergency.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released Village of New Bavaria (Henry County) from fiscal emergency, a status it has held since May 2010. 

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released Village of Willshire (Van Wert County) from fiscal emergency, a status it has held since December 2005. 

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released Village of Morral (Marion County) from fiscal emergency, a status it has held since May 2013. 

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the City of Akron from fiscal caution – a designation it has held since 2011.

Defaulting on a debt obligation prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the village of Smithfield (Jefferson County) in a state of fiscal emergency.

Defaults on three loans and a significant deficit fund balance prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to declare the City of Maple Heights in a state of fiscal emergency.

The inability to adopt a financial recovery plan while under fiscal watch prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the East Knox Local School District in a state of fiscal emergency

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the Cloverleaf Local School District (Medina County) from fiscal emergency, a status it has held since January 2012.

Southern Local School District (Perry County) could turn a projected $730,000 deficit into a $1.4 million surplus by implementing performance audit recommendations released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released Liberty Local School District (Trumbull County) from fiscal emergency; a status it has held since 2011.

Substantial deficit fund balances prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the city of Niles (Trumbull County) in a state of fiscal emergency.

Failure to bring financial records into an auditable condition prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the Village of Smithfield (Jefferson County) in a state of fiscal caution.

Failure to provide an acceptable financial recovery plan prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place East Knox Local School District (Knox County) in a state of fiscal watch.

Brookfield Local School District (Trumbull County) could save nearly $250,000 per year and move closer toward shedding its fiscal emergency status, according to a performance audit released by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Unreconciled financial statements and significant audit citations prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place Rush Township (Scioto County) in a state of fiscal caution.

Columbus – Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the City of Mansfield (Richland County) from fiscal emergency in the final meeting of their financial planning and supervision commission.

Auditor of State Dave Yost released Scioto County from fiscal emergency today during the final meeting of their financial planning and supervision commission.

Significant deficit fund balances prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place St. Clair Township (Butler County) in a state of fiscal emergency.

The following audits will be released Thursday, May 15, 2014.

Deficit fund balances, treasury deficits and significant past due accounts prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the Village of Trimble (Athens County) in a state of fiscal emergency. 

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the Village of Waynesville (Warren County) from fiscal emergency.

Significant deficits prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the city of Maple Heights (Cuyahoga County) in fiscal watch after a requested review of the city’s finances. 

Multi-million dollar deficit fund balances and treasury deficits prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place Hamilton Township (Warren County) in a state of fiscal emergency.

As much as $628,000 could be saved every year by the City of Massillon through the implementation of 13 recommendations outlined in a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

An operating deficit of $775,000 prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the Bettsville Local School District (Seneca County) in a state of fiscal emergency.

The City of East Cleveland’s financial situation continues to spiral downward according to the 2011 and 2012 financial audits released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

Significant audit citations and deficit balances prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the Village of Bloomingburg (Fayette County) in a state of fiscal caution. 

Deficit fund balances prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the Village of Edgerton (Williams County) in a state of fiscal emergency.

The inability to adopt a financial recovery plan prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the Mansfield City School District (Richland County) in a state of fiscal emergency.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the Village of McClure (Henry County) from fiscal emergency, a status it has held since 2009.

The following audits will be released Tuesday, October 22, 2013. 

In a visit to the city today, Auditor of State Dave Yost today released Lorain (Lorain County) from fiscal watch, a status it has held since 2002.

During a visit to the village today, Auditor of State Dave Yost released Bethel (Clermont County) from fiscal emergency, a status it has held since 2010.

Poor records and failure to prepare required financial documents prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the Village of Rarden (Scioto County) in a state of fiscal caution.

Deficit fund balances prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the City of Massillon (Stark County) in a state of fiscal emergency.

The following audits will be released Tuesday, October 8, 2013. 

 Incorrect fund use prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place Liberty Township (Trumbull County) in a state of fiscal caution.

During a visit to the city today, Auditor of State Dave Yost released Campbell (Mahoning County) from fiscal emergency, a status it has held since 2004.

During a visit to the city today, Auditor of State Dave Yost released Garfield Heights (Cuyahoga County) from fiscal emergency, a status it has held since 2008.

Poor records and numerous audit citations prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place Franklin Township (Richland County) in a state of fiscal caution.

A recent financial audit of the Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School District (Cuyahoga County) by Auditor of State Dave Yost’s office has returned a clean audit report.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the Village of West Elkton (Preble County) from fiscal emergency, a status it has held since 2004.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the Little Miami Local School District (Warren County) from fiscal emergency, a status it has held since 2010.

Auditor of State Dave Yost released the Village of Midland (Clinton County) from fiscal emergency today.

The inability of the Brookfield Local Schools to develop an acceptable financial recovery plan prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the district in a state of fiscal emergency.

Deficit fund balances, past due accounts payables and treasury deficits prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the Village of Patterson in a state of fiscal emergency.

Substantial deficit fund balances at the Village of Morral prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the village in a state of fiscal emergency.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the Village of Melrose (Paulding County) from fiscal emergency, a status it has held since 2008.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the Village of Mantua (Portage County) from fiscal watch, a status it’s held since 2008.

Lack of progress by the City of Portsmouth (Scioto County) to correct its financial problems prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to elevate the city’s status from fiscal caution to fiscal watch.

Deficit fund balances in police and fire pension funds, along with the failure to perform basic accounting reconciliations, prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to declare the City of Chillicothe (Ross County) in a state of fiscal caution.

Substantial deficit balances at the Village of Newcomerstown (Tuscarawas County) prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the village in a state of fiscal emergency.

Deficit balances, significant audit citations, failure to file financial reports and unauditable records put Newton Township (Trumbull County) into fiscal caution, according to a declaration today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

A default on outstanding debt at the Village of Tiro (Crawford County) prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the village in a state of fiscal emergency.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the City of Girard (Trumbull County) from fiscal emergency, a status it has held since 2001.

Failure by the City of East Cleveland to submit an acceptable financial recovery plan to address the concerns outlined in its fiscal caution declaration prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost to elevate the city’s status to fiscal watch.

Significant deficit fund balances and incomplete financial records prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to declare Madison Township (Richland County) in a state of fiscal caution.

Failure to present an acceptable financial recovery plan by the Monroe Local School District (Butler County) prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to place the district in a state of fiscal emergency.

Without raising taxes, the Federal Hocking Local School District in Athens County emerged from fiscal emergency today.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today released the McDonald Local School District (Trumbull County) from its fiscal emergency status, which it held since 2009.

Auditor of State Dave Yost released the Beaver Local School District (Columbiana County) from fiscal emergency today, a status they held since February of 2010.

Projected deficits prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost today to declare the Monroe Local School District (Butler County) in a state of fiscal watch.

The Cloverleaf Local School District is in a state of fiscal emergency, declared today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.  The action came at the request of the school district, which will now be placed under the supervision of a state commission.

Auditor of State Dave Yost declared a state of fiscal caution for the City of East Cleveland in a meeting today with city officials.

Alger’s improved financial condition prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost to release the village from its fiscal emergency status today.

“The Springfield Local School District worked diligently and made the tough choices necessary to bring it to where it is today,” Auditor Yost said. “I am pleased to release the district from fiscal emergency and look forward to hearing more good things from the district.”

“Portsmouth is the perfect example for why we created the fiscal caution designation,” Auditor Yost said. “We are concerned about the city’s financial condition and trust, with this early notice, city officials will take the necessary steps to bring Portsmouth back to fiscal health.

“Akron has a lot going for it, and I am confident the city will be able to take the steps necessary to shore up its fiscal house,” Yost said. “But make no mistake, these are tough times, for Akron and many other Ohio governments, and the city will be making some tough decisions.”

“During these tough economic times, governments at every level have to cope with fewer dollars,” Auditor Yost said. “My office stands ready to work with Liberty Local Schools’ leaders and the commission to develop and carry out a plan to bring them back to fiscal health.”

Failure to submit an acceptable revised recovery proposal and incomplete financial records prompted Auditor of State Dave Yost to place the Liberty Local School District into fiscal watch today.

“The Jefferson Township Local Schools worked tirelessly to “skinny” down their operations and bring the district back to the fiscal health that taxpayers deserve,” Auditor Yost said.

During a visit to Youngstown today, Auditor of State Dave Yost officially released the Youngstown City School District from fiscal emergency.