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Per section 3.05(D) of the citys charter, When the Mayor has disapproved an
ordinance or resolution or a part or item thereof as herein provided, the Council shall,
not later than its next regular meeting, proceed to reconsider it and if upon
reconsideration the ordinance or resolution or part or item thereof disapproved by
the Mayor be approved by the affirmative vote of five (5) of the members of Council, it
shall then take effect without the signature of the Mayor in the same manner as if he or
she had signed it. In all such cases, the vote shall be taken by yeas and nays and
entered upon the journal.
This is my written objection to Resolution No. 2016-R-01, A Resolution
Requesting the Administration to enter into agreement with the Office of the Treasurer
of Ohio that authorizes the City to participate in the Ohio Online Checkbook Program.
The states checkbook cost about $811,000 to set up, according to the
treasurers office. Treasurer Mandel requested to use $2.7 million from his office
budget to pay for the first two years of the local government checkbook project. That
covers a one-time $975,000 licensing fee and an annual maintenance fee of between
$400,000 to $950,000 depending on how many entities sign up. This is not a cost
which will be incurred by the city but as State of Ohio taxpayers, a cost we all share.
In my opinion, $3.5 million (set-up cost and 2-years project cost) could be used by
local governments for more critical needs. This is a substantial price and what value
added benefits do we get for this and how do we measure that?
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lack of timely report submission, reconciliation, failure to obtain a timely single audit,
findings for recovery less than $100, or public meetings or public records.
I give Josh Mandel and the State Treasurers Office a lot of credit for reducing
their expenses by millions of dollars in order to fund this program. It is an innovative
program. I feel there are many Ohio cities and school systems struggling with the
reduction of local government funds who could use these dollars for more critical
needs. The three entities I had discussions with about the program would not
participate in the program unless it was funded by the state We can not measure the
benefits we would receive from this program other than public validation. Our
annual audits are available to our residents for review. All of our committee meetings
are open to public. Our residents can request financial information at any time. We
continue to look at ways to reduce our expenses in the city. The Ohio Online
Checkbook program does not help us generate additional revenue or reduce
expenses.
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