Akron Beacon Journal...
Do as they say?
September 13, 2011 

Local governments can expect to pay higher fees for required audits under a plan David Yost says is part of an effort to maximize efficiency in the state auditor’s office. Instead of charging local governments fees that vary according to the salaries of individual auditors, a flat fee of $41 an hour was approved this week by a joint legislative committee. The fee is expected to generate an additional $5.3 million over the biennium. 

Understandably, some local officials are scratching their heads about this kind of efficiency, especially since they saw local government funds slashed and the estate tax, another important revenue source, put on the road to oblivion. 

Yost, a Republican, argues that without the additional revenue, the state auditor’s office may be forced to downsize even further and contract more with private firms. Funny, isn’t that what Republicans in charge at the Statehouse have been telling others to do all along? 

The auditor’s office points to higher hourly fees charged by private auditing firms, noting a downsized state office would end up costing locals even more money. That’s an interesting concern, given what just happened to local government funds and the estate tax in the state budget. 

Besides, some township officials note, although private firms might charge more per hour, they often work faster — in the end saving money. Public or private, let’s hope the audits help local governments operate more efficiently. It certainly appears that they need the money. 

Read it at the Akron Beacon Journal