Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel announced Wednesday the launch of the Berlin Township, Berkshire Township, Oxford Township and Concord Township’s online checkbooks on OhioCheckbook.com.
Also announced was the surpassing of over 1,000 local governments and schools that have partnered with the Treasurer’s office to post their checkbook-level spending information on OhioCheckbook.com.
In December 2014, Mandel’s office launched OhioCheckbook.com, which sets a new national standard for government transparency and for the first time in Ohio history puts all state spending information on the internet. OhioCheckbook.com earned Ohio the number one government transparency ranking in the country for the second year in a row.
The following is a breakdown of the local government sites:
• Berlin Township’s online checkbook includes over 10,000 individual transactions that represent more than $4.7 million of total spending over the past three years.
• Berkshire’s Township’s online checkbook includes over 3,600 individual transactions that represent more than $1.8 million of total spending over the past three years.
• Oxford Township’s online checkbook includes over 3,300 individual transactions that represent more than $1 million of total spending over the past four years.
• Concord Township’s online checkbook includes over 1,600 individual transactions that represent more than $3.9 million of total spending over the Fiscal Year 2015.
Fiscal officers from the four townships applauded the program.
“I believe the people of Delaware County have a right to know how their tax money is being spent, and I applaud local leaders for partnering with my office to post the finances on OhioCheckbook.com,” Mandel said. “By posting local government spending online, we are empowering taxpayers across Ohio to hold public officials accountable.”
“Berlin Township is excited to join other entities in Delaware County on the OhioCheckbook.com program and we look forward to using the application in our financial decision process,” Fiscal Officer Claudia Smith said.
“Berkshire Township is excited to join other entities in Delaware County as leaders in transparency and we are thankful to the Treasurer’s office for providing this application to help our community make more sound financial decisions,” according to Fiscal Officer Melody George.
“The Township of Oxford is pleased to join OhioCheckbook.com,” Fiscal Officer Joyce Leienberger said. “We believe this application will empower all the stakeholders of Oxford and continue to help us make the best decisions for our community.”
On April 7, 2015 Mandel sent a letter to 18,062 local government and school officials representing 3,962 local governments throughout the state calling on them to place their checkbook level data on OhioCheckbook.com and extended an invitation to partner with his office at no cost to local governments. These local governments include cities, counties, townships, schools, library districts and other special districts.
