Posted by Michael Earl Patton

Photo courtesy of here.

The Hamilton County Auditor’s office has not released the annual county financial reports for the years 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007.  When I asked in person Tuesday to see the reports I was told that they did not know when they would be available.  The explanation given was that the auditor, Mr. Rhodes, does not release any unaudited financial reports and since there are unresolved issues for 2004, 2005, and 2006, these reports are not available to the public.  Since the State Auditor is working on the 2007 report, that report is also not available.

Although Mr. Rhodes is the county auditor, the audit that concerns his office is the one performed by the state auditor.  Until both he and the state auditor agree on the issues, the public will not be allowed to see his report on the county’s financial condition.

Ohio Revised Code 319.11 states that the County Auditor is to prepare annual financial reports within 90 days of the end of the fiscal year, notify the public that they are completed, and then make them available for inspection.  That section does not mention that they can be held up until the state audits the reports and all unresolved issues are settled.

Therefore, The Cincinnati Beacon has asked both the county auditor, Mr. Rhodes, and the state auditor if there is statutory authority for withholding the records from the public.  Even if there is some kind of authority, it seems that withholding the reports from the public for over four years is excessive.  And with no end in sight, it seems even more excessive.  The Beacon will update its readers when it receives a reply.

Thank you for reading (and printing from) The Cincinnati Beacon.