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NEWTON FALLS -- Council voted 4-0 Tuesday to seek proposals for a forensic audit of the village's finances.
"We need to have an audit done," Councilwoman-at-Large Julie Stimpert said. "We need to see what costs are involved and what the audit will entail."
Finance Director Sean Housley said an audit would make recommendations for improvements. He added a forensic audit would cost $50,000 and a performance audit would cost $25,000.
Housley said the village will end 2023 with a total budget at $20,323,000 and a general fund of $2,453,537.
A forensic audit is an in-depth examination of an organization's financial records and transactions to identify potential fraud, misconduct or other irregularities.
A performance audit is an independent assessment of an entity's operations to determine if specific programs or functions are working as intended to achieve stated goals. Performance audits typically are associated with government agencies at all levels as most of these bodies receive federal funding.
Noting the expense, Acting Mayor John Baryak asked Stimpert if she had a specific reason for wanting the forensic audit done.
Stimpert said the proposals will indicate the costs involved.
Resident and former councilman Tarry Alberini said he commends council for pursuing a forensic audit. He said the audit will help set things straight and answer questions that have been asked in the past. He said he believes such an audit will clarify concerns raised by current and past officials over how money was spent.
Condie Bright, a resident and council candidate, said the audit should go back five to six years.
"I want an audit where we can see where the spending has been," she said.
Resident and former councilman Adam Zimmermann said the audit will help clear people's names who have been unfairly accused of spending money improperly.
"I look forward to this audit being done," he said.
COUNCILMAN LEAVING
Baryak, who has been acting mayor since former mayor Ken Kline resigned last fall, attended his final meeting before leaving office at the end of the month.
Baryak said he survived two recall attempts, worked with three administrations and missed only three council meetings in eight years.
He said he was proud to have been involved with getting funding for the Scott Street sewer project, planning for Dunkin', improving communication with officials from Braceville and Newton townships and stopping the sale of village transmission lines.
He said he hopes the community center gets repaired and reopened.
"This has been one of the greatest honors of my life to have served the people," he said. "I did this service out of my heart. I hope the next council takes careful consideration of the money and spends it wisely."
The village is advertising for a law director / prosecutor.
Law Director Brad Bryan's current contract expires Dec. 31. Officials want him to remain in the position until a replacement is found.
ROAD PROJECTS
In other business, council heard from Brian Gorog of OHM Advisors that the 2024 paving project will be bid out in March so that work can begin in May.
He said the Ohio Public Works Commission has provided money to the village for the work.
Gorog said plans are to pave sections of East Church Street, Oak Knoll, Bane Street andthe Maple Drive intersection.
Also, council approved increasing electric rates to help raise money for upgrades to the electrical department.
Fourth Ward Councilman Kevin Rufener said for the average electric user, the rate will increase by one cent per kilowatt hour. A $4.75 service charge will help build a reserve for necessary electric department upgrades.