Initiative

Securing and protecting evidence is a necessity for the justice system, and a new manual created jointly by the offices of the Ohio Attorney General and the Auditor of State provides the state’s law enforcement agencies with best practices in the management of property and evidence rooms, Attorney General Mike DeWine and Auditor of State Dave Yost announced today.

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.

Ohio’s public universities and colleges face a number of challenges in fulfilling the federal mandate to report campus crime statistics and detail campus security policy and procedures, according to a survey of these institutions conducted by Auditor of State Dave Yost. The survey makes clear that universities and colleges would welcome help from the state in fulfilling their obligations under the law known as the Clery Act.

Performance audits of school districts have produced more than $138 million in savings recommendations since 2011

Spending is expected to exceed revenue for 93 percent (569) of Ohio’s public school districts over the next five years, according to a new report from Auditor of State Dave Yost’s office. Fortunately, more than half of these districts have carryover balances that will keep them in the black through the period. 

Auditors Question Authority of Commerce Department Issuing Additional Licenses

The Ohio Department of Commerce exceeded its legal authority when it awarded two additional licenses to cultivators in the state’s fledgling medical marijuana program, according to the results of an audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost’s office.

Geographic Price-Spread Disparities Found in Medicaid Pharmacy Payments

Ohio's Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) charged the state a “spread” of more than 31 percent for generic drugs – nearly four times as much as the previously reported average spread across all drugs, according to a new report by Ohio Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Gov. John Kasich signed House Bill 312 into law Thursday, establishing new safeguards to combat credit card abuse at Ohio’s local governments. 

Across Ohio, hundreds of teachers are using crowdfunding – online fundraising – to generate donations to provide materials to enhance the educational experience of their students. A new report and survey from Auditor of State Dave Yost found that many school districts do not have policies to guide teachers and administrators on how to use crowdfunding properly. The report provides best practices for districts considering these policies.

A new report by the Ohio Auditor of State’s office shows the number of Ohio Medicaid recipients with an opioid-related diagnosis (dependence, abuse or overdose) climbed 430 percent between 2010 and 2016, with the state now providing assistance to a soaring number of Ohioans addicted to opioids. 

In a first-of-its-kind feasibility study, Auditor of State Dave Yost has determined that several Belmont County School districts could improve efficiency and save money by combining bus maintenance services.

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.

Pending Legislation Would Establish Additional Safeguards for State’s High-Risk Medicaid Providers

Medicaid providers who are unqualified or lack records to justify payments for services have repaid only a fraction of the tens of millions of dollars they owe to the state, according to a special report released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

More than ever, cyberthieves are targeting Ohio’s local governments, tax dollars and individuals with great sophistication. Increasingly, those being targeted are taking steps to bolster their online security. Auditor of State Dave Yost wants to help local governments and Ohioans fortify themselves from digital threats and fend off cyberattacks by offering a free, on-demand 90-minute webinar.

Medicaid Effort Part of Auditor Yost’s Culture of Accountability

Compliance examinations to verify whether Medicaid providers have sufficient documentation to support payment have led to repayment demands totaling nearly $10.6 million in 2017, Auditor of State Dave Yost announced today.

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.

The Ohio House of Representatives today unanimously approved legislation that would require local governments to establish credit card policies to protect tax dollars. House Bill 312 now goes to the Ohio Senate for consideration.

Because many local governments are at risk of theft and other misuse of government credit and debit cards, Auditor of State Dave Yost today released a “Best Practices” newsletter to show local government officials how to prevent this rip-off of taxpayers. 

Thieving public employees who capitalize on lax oversight have pocketed millions of dollars from transactions with citizens over past decade, according to a special report released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

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.

Auditor of State Dave Yost and Sen. Peggy Lehner today announced legislation to stop the kind of Medicaid fraud and overpayments that have cost taxpayers nearly $29 million since 2011 and deprived Medicaid patients of the care those dollars are intended to provide.

With cyberfraud attacking bigger and more consequential targets, Auditor of State Dave Yost today issued a “Best Practices” newsletter aimed at helping local government leaders protect tax dollars and taxpayer information.

• Some Entities Have Limits in Excess of $1 Million • New Legislation Would Require All Entities to Establish Guidelines

Some local governments in Ohio may be putting taxpayer money at risk because they have not instituted basic policies to prevent dishonest employees from abusing government credit cards, according to a survey released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Efficiency-Boosting Studies are Outgrowth of House Bill 5

Auditor of State Dave Yost today approved the Bellaire Local School District (Belmont County) to receive the first shared services feasibility study conducted by his office.

With cyberattacks on governments increasing, Auditor Dave Yost today announced a series of training seminars to help local government leaders in Ohio combat cyberattacks. Already, more than 560 local officials have registered for the free training.

In an effort to curb fraud in Ohio’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Auditor of State Dave Yost, Rep. Tim Schaffer and Sen. Matt Huffman announced new  legislation to require photos of many recipients on the state’s SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.

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.

University is first higher-ed institution to undergo performance audit

To amplify the university’s ongoing efficiency work, The Ohio State University and the Auditor of State’s office will collaborate on the state’s first performance audit of a higher education institution.

Nearly half of Ohio’s local governments surveyed recently said they are unfamiliar with fraud prevention services designed to safeguard their bank accounts against fraud.

Online Reporting System Leverages Technology to Streamline and Simplify Local Government Transparency

Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel and Ohio Auditor Dave Yost announced today the partnership between OhioCheckbook.com and the Auditor’s Uniform Accounting Network (UAN).  Local governments utilizing UAN can now, through the website UANlink.OhioAuditor.gov, submit their year-end financial reports to the Auditor and choose to have UAN transmit their checkbook level spending to the OhioCheckbook.com in a quick, easy and convenient process. 

Auditor Dave Yost today called on the General Assembly to review how community schools using electronic learning are funded, suggesting reforms based on how much a child learns should play a key role in determining how a virtual school is paid.

Ohio Auditor Dave Yost today told Congress that he does not believe fraud is rampant in Ohio’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, but said it does exist and is “significant” given that $2.5 billion in food stamp benefits are issued to Ohioans each year.

An audit of Ohio’s $2.5 billion Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has found system weaknesses which allow for benefits of the dead to be claimed, accounts to build excessive balances, questionable out-of-state transactions and other instances of potential fraud.

Gov. John Kasich signed House Bill 5 into law today, allowing local governments and state agencies to request feasibility studies from the Auditor of State’s office. The studies will measure the potential benefits of sharing resources with neighboring entities.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today warned treasurers, fiscal officers and others responsible for spending public money that cybercrimes targeting government are on the rise and urged them to be on alert.

A second unannounced statewide head count of community school attendance found that attendance among non-Dropout Recovery and Prevention schools has improved, according to a report released today by Ohio Auditor Dave Yost. 

Auditor of State Dave Yost will host Ohio’s first statewide Charter School Summit this summer to provide school educators and administrators with financial, professional and academic training.

About 650 local officials – including mayors, school board members, financial officers and attorneys – participated in training to detect fraud and theft through a new statewide initiative of Auditor of State Dave Yost.

The impact of fraud on our public institutions is devastating: $3 million from a county, $1.2 million at a community schools and $1.1 million at 19 schools in one district. 

More than 70 public officials and employees were trained yesterday on how to prevent fraud or detect it as soon as possible as part of a series of seminars provided by State Auditor Dave Yost’s office.

The Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) voted unanimously today to pass a resolution in support of House Bill 384.

The following statement may be attributed to Auditor of State Dave Yost regarding today’s omnibus amendment to Substitute House Bill 64.

The following statement made by Auditor of State Dave Yost is regarding the passage of Ohio House Bill 2.

Long, expensive legal battles can be prevented through the new “Sunshine Audit” announced today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.