House Bill 10 Ensures Local Government Accountability
Representative Tony Burkley
There is one thing you can be certain of, and that is that this state depends on its local government system. As a state representative, I believe that one of my duties is ensuring that the concerns of our county and municipal sectors are included in the decisions we make here in Columbus. These areas are the backbone of our neighborhoods and the foundation of our progress.
I have had the fortunate opportunity to serve many years in county government, which includes four terms as Paulding County Commissioner. I have seen firsthand the passion and hard work that goes into these localized decisions, and it’s my hope that I can take my unique experience in these roles to offer my viewpoint on legislation that affects those in these capacities.
The Ohio House passed legislation earlier this year that addresses a variety of procedures and requirements pertaining to the fiscal officers of townships and municipal corporations in our local communities. Measures in the bill include creating a uniform removal procedure for fiscal officers based on precedence, ensuring that county auditors and treasurers perform their duties every 30 days, and establishing education programs to encourage ongoing training in these areas.
Accountability is important at the local, state and federal levels. This country was based on the idea of “checks and balances” and taxpayers deserve to know that their money is being responsibly utilized. This bill helps to address that issue by making certain that those on the local level are following the proper guidelines and that their money is being properly watched over.
House Bill 10 is currently in the Senate and I hope to see its progress. The majority of our local, state and federal workers are good people who are here to serve. I fondly look back on my days at the local level and I will continue to bring their concerns back to the Statehouse. Together we can continue to push for accountability and transparency in our government, as it benefits our economy, businesses and my fellow Ohioans.
