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Board hears auditor of state request to outsource audit; district to consider Julian & Grube proposal at special meeting
Summary
District officials told the board they received a late request from the Ohio Auditor of State to have an outside firm perform the school audit; the board agreed to consider a five‑year proposal from Julian & Grube at the April 12 retreat rather than approve it the same night.
Treasurer Todd (name in minutes) told the Orange City School District Board of Education that the Ohio Auditor of State requested an outside independent public accounting (IPA) firm conduct the district’s audit and that the auditor’s office lacked staff to complete the work. The auditor of state suggested the district solicit an IPA proposal; the auditor’s office forwarded bids and recommended Julian & Grube to perform the audit.
The treasurer read fee figures during the April 9 meeting (public minutes): $22,100 for fiscal years 2024–25, $23,800 for fiscal years 2026–27 and $25,500 for fiscal year 2028 under a five‑year engagement. The auditor of state’s office told the district the firm’s use was for quality assurance and to provide a fresh set of eyes after long-term engagements.
Board members said the proposal arrived late in the day and asked for time to review the fee proposal and supporting documents. The board unanimously agreed to remove the item from the April 9 agenda and to consider approval at the April 12 special meeting or retreat; the treasurer said he would attach the firm’s fee proposal to the record for public review.
Why it matters: State law requires annual audits of school districts by the Auditor of State; when the office cannot staff an audit, it may request or require an IPA engagement. The proposed multi-year engagement and fees are budgetary items and will be voted at the upcoming special meeting.
What the district recorded in the minutes: the treasurer recommended the IPA engagement; the auditors requested an outside firm after staff turnover in the auditor’s office; the board postponed action and asked staff to circulate the fee proposal before the April 12 meeting.
No formal approval was recorded April 9. The minutes show the board asked staff to bring the matter back at the special meeting and to make the vendor fee schedule public.
