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South Side News & Notes



Findings issued in Springfield audit

SPRINGFIELD — State Auditor Keith Faber’s Office’s 2018-19 financial audit of Springfield shows multiple findings, including one for recovery of $13,378 for an unapproved pay raise and hours worked.
According to Auditor’s Office officials, former Fiscal Officer Sharon Harms approved a series of improper payments to her assistant.
On May 12, 2016, the Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Catherine Dobson to work as an assistant to the fiscal officer for 20 hours per week, and on Nov. 9, 2018, they increased the approved hours to not exceed 32 hours per week. However, the board did not approve full-time status, allowing the accrual and usage of leave, nor did it approve increasing the assistant’s hourly rate by $2.05, to $15 per hour.
Officials stated that in 2018, Dobson was overpaid $2,162 due to working 167 hours over the 32 hours per week previously approved by the board. The overpayments continued in 2019, with Dobson overpaid by $2,978 for 1,453 hours worked at the unapproved $2.05 increased hourly rate, and $2,902 for 193.5 hours of leave time used at the improper rate. Additionally, she worked 128 hours in excess of the hours the board had approved, worth $1,657.
In 2020, she was overpaid $861 for 420.25 hours worked at the unapproved hourly rate and was overpaid $2,572 for 171.5 hours of leave time used. She also worked 19 hours over her approved hours per week, causing another $246 in overpayments, according to Auditor’s Office officials.
The Auditor’s Office issued a finding for recovery against Dobson for $9,313 and against Harms for $4,065. As fiscal officer, Harms authorized the payrolls resulting in improper payments to Dobson, making Harms and her bonding company, Travelers Casualty and Surety Co. of America, jointly and severally liable with Dobson for $9,313 and Harms’ $4,065.
Officials stated other findings in the audit included:
• noncompliance and material weakness for lack of supporting documentation for multiple expenditures;
• material weakness for financial reporting, meaning preparation and presentation of financial statements for numerous funds in both 2019 and 2018;
• material weakness in regard to errors in the cash reconciliation process; and
• material weakness for improperly recorded interfund advances in the accounting system.
To review the audit, visit www.ohioauditor.gov/auditsearch/Search.aspx and type “Springfield Township” in the search line.

 

Financial Planning Commission hears results of bond refinancing

COVENTRY — During a short virtual Financial Planning and Supervision Commission meeting Dec. 28, Coventry Local Schools Treasurer Sherry Tyson invited Patrick King, managing director for Stifel Nicolaus & Co. Inc., to report on the results of refinancing the district’s bonds.
King stated refinancing the bonds would save district taxpayers about $9.6 million over the remaining 27 years. According to King, the district’s credit rating was improved from a Ba2 to a Baa3 positive as a result.
“It was a lengthy process, but it had a great outcome,” said King of the nine-month-long process.
Also during the meeting, the commission approved a number of personnel items and three purchase orders for Coventry Schools.
The next commission meeting is scheduled for Jan. 28 at 4 p.m., with details on how to participate available by emailing robert.foss@education.ohio.gov.

 

County begins distribution of COVID-19 vaccine

SUMMIT COUNTY — Summit County has received 3,100 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and began vaccinating individuals who have been identified most at risk Dec. 26.
According to Summit County Public Health (SCPH) officials, the first shipments of the vaccine are designated for those who have been identified most at risk and prioritized in Phase 1A of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Vaccination Program.
According to ODH officials, Phase 1A includes: health-care workers and personnel who are routinely involved in the care of COVID-19 patients; residents and staff in nursing homes; residents and staff in assisted-living facilities; patients and staff at state psychiatric hospitals; people with developmental disabilities and those with mental health disorders, including substance-use disorders who live in group homes, residential facilities or centers, and staff at those locations; residents and staff at the two homes for Ohio veterans; and EMS responders.
“We are very excited to be able to start vaccinating our most at-risk individuals against COVID-19,” said SCPH Commissioner Donna Skoda.
The county has established a vaccine registry for those who would like to be vaccinated at www.scph.org/covid/receive-information-regarding-covid-19-vaccine.
“There will only be a limited supply in the early stages of distribution until production catches up with the demand,” Skoda said. “We are committed to the equitable distribution of a safe and effective vaccine. This registry will help us reach those who would like to be vaccinated. There is no guarantee at this time that every group listed in Phase 1A of the Ohio Vaccination Program will be able to receive the vaccine from Summit County Public Health. We will distribute the vaccine as it becomes available, and at this time we do not have a good picture of how many doses will be sent or when those shipments will arrive.”
SCPH officials are encouraging individuals to continue to: stay home if sick, even with mild symptoms; be mindful of interactions with others and limit chances of exposure by maintaining social distancing of at least 6 feet from nonhousehold members; wear a mask in public; consider necessary travel only; follow good hygiene standards; wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use hand sanitizer frequently; avoid touching the face; and cover coughs and sneezes.
Additional guidance and information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine can be found on the ODH website at coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination-program.
For details, call the SCPH COVID-19 call line at 330-926-5795 Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

New COVID-19 advisory maps available

OHIO — Ohio Department of Health (ODH) officials have released three maps that illustrate the spread of COVID-19 and the impact of the virus on hospital ICUs in the state.
According to ODH officials, the first map, “Cases per 100,000 Residents Over 2 Weeks,” shows cases per capita during the previous two weeks. Every county in Ohio now exceeds the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention threshold for high incidence, which is 100 cases per 100,000 residents. Case incidence is a measure of how many cases there are in each county adjusted for population.
The second map, “Regional COVID-19 ICU Utilization,” shows the percent of all ICU patients who are COVID-19 positive as a weekly average by hospital preparedness region. At the beginning of August, about 12 percent of Ohio’s ICU patients were COVID-19 positive, or one out of every eight. As of Dec. 24, that number was 31 percent, with almost one in three patients being COVID-19 positive.
The final map, “Public Health Advisory System,” shows that 84 counties in the state were red and four were orange as of Dec. 24. This system was designed as an early warning system to measure when cases and health-care use were escalating. At these levels, residents are being advised to exercise a high degree of caution and follow the Stay Safe Ohio Protocol to help prevent Ohio hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.
For more information, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov.

 

County donates funds to veterans’ nonprofit

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Since 2008, the Summit County Executive’s Office has provided Serving Our Soldiers (SOS) care packages to local members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are deployed overseas during the holidays.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the county this year will instead donate $500 to Truth & Honor Inc., a local nonprofit that provides support to veterans transitioning to civilian life.
According to county officials, Truth & Honor is dedicated to restoring the lives of veterans who are often homeless and struggling with the dual diagnosis of post-traumatic stress syndrome and chemical dependency, conditions that can inhibit a successful reintegration into civilian life. The nonprofit operates two housing facilities in Akron — Julia House and Ella House, which provide a safe, stable environment, promoting wellness and reliability.
“This donation to Truth & Honor will help veterans most in need of support as they make the transition from active duty to civilian life,” said County Executive Ilene Shapiro.
Officials stated the Executive’s Office sells Mother’s Day flowers to county employees to raise money for the SOS program each spring. In addition, the office has provided $40,000 to the Laura Williams Dunlop Memorial Stand Down; led development of Summit Liberty House, the county’s first housing facility for homeless female veterans; and facilitated the installation of a new World War II memorial at the Summit County Courthouse.

 

ODNR offers Natural Resources Officer Training Academy

GREATER AKRON — Applications are being accepted through Jan. 15 for the next Natural Resources Officer Training Academy, presented by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The department is seeking to fill at least 15 positions.
ODNR officials stated applicants must be at least 21 and possess a valid Ohio driver’s license. An associate degree or completion of an undergraduate core program in natural resources, fish and/or wildlife management, criminal justice, environmental law enforcement or related fields also is required.
Applicants will have to pass a background check, psychological exam and a drug screen and meet swimming and physical fitness standards. They also have to reside within 45 miles of their work location.
Officials stated top-scoring candidates will undergo interviews and pre-employment evaluations, and those selected as cadets will attend the officer training academy for about five months. Following completion of the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training course, cadets will complete an additional training program related to ODNR operations and their officer specialty.
Natural resources officer duties include law enforcement and public service, as well as education and public relations for ODNR’s divisions of Parks and Watercraft, Forestry and Natural Areas and Preserves.
“Natural Resource Officers have an essential role in helping our department fulfill its mission,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz.” We are looking for individuals with a great passion for the outdoors and a drive to serve the community through public service.”
To apply, visit careers.ohio.gov.

 

Maria Lindsay and Eric Poston contributed to these reports.