Last month, the Ohio Auditor of State released the latest audit for Bethel Township, which covers years 2022 and 2023. The audit showed something that most local governments try to avoid - a number of findings for recovery. In other words, the audit found that $13,420.42 in public money was spent improperly during the time period. although one finding involved bonus payments made in 2021. The Ohio Auditor of State issued five findings for recovery. One finding, totaling $1,373.62, was repaid during the audit.
A finding for recovery is more serious than a routine bookkeeping note. The Auditor of State uses such a finding when public money was spent without legal authority, was not collected or accounted for, or when public property was misused. The finding calls for that money to be returned to the proper public account.
The largest finding involved two bonus payments totaling $5,000 to the township’s former fiscal officer. Trustees had approved a $3,000 bonus for emergency medical technicians who worked at least 300 hours during a set period in 2021. According to the audit, an employee who worked only 94 hours during that period and did not qualify, was given the bonus anyway.
The same employee also received a second bonus of $2,000. That bonus was approved for full-time employees and people serving in certain part-time fire department positions. The audit found that the employee was not a full-time township worker and did not hold one of the listed part-time positions. As a result, the Auditor of State issued a finding for recovery for the full $5,000.
A second finding involved a vacation-leave payment made to a former full-time employee. Township policy allowed employees to carry no more than 160 hours of vacation time into a new year. The audit found that an extra 62.15 hours were carried forward. Those hours were later included in the employee’s final payment after leaving the township, creating an overpayment of $2,121.80.
Another finding involved the employee share of health insurance costs. A township employee with family coverage paid $50 per month. Township rules required a payment of $50 from each biweekly paycheck. Over 2022 and 2023, the difference created a $1,400 shortfall. The audit called for that money to be returned to the township’s General Fund.
Cellphone payments led to another finding totaling $3,525. A township resolution set monthly cellphone payment rates for certain employees and positions. The audit found that three employees received more than the resolution allowed. The individual overpayments were $1,425, $800 and $1,300. The Auditor of State directed that the money be returned to the township’s fire levy fund.
The fifth finding involved late tax payments. The audit found that 13 payments to local taxing agencies were not made on time. That caused the township to pay $1,373.62 in fees, interest and penalties. The former fiscal officer repaid the entire amount in May 2025. The audit therefore lists that finding as repaid.
The audit also identified broader problems with the township’s financial controls. It found that some receipts and payments were placed in the wrong accounts. It also found cases in which the township did not properly confirm that money was available before making a purchase. Township officials told auditors that new review steps would be put in place.
It is important to place these findings in the right time period. Only one of the three current trustees served on the board during 2022 and 2023. The other two trustees took office later. The township also has a different fiscal officer today. Most members of the current leadership team were not serving in their present roles when these payments were made.
That does not make the findings less serious. But it does mean the audit should be read as a report about past financial practices, not as a claim against every person now serving the township.
The findings do not explain anyone’s motives, and they should not be used to castigate individuals. They show that several payments did not follow township rules or state requirements. The proper response is to recover the remaining money, explain the findings clearly to residents and strengthen township controls so the same problems do not happen again.
You can download the full audit report here:
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That’s just straight thievery lmao.