Vandalia receives Auditor of State award; council proclaims local dealership's 50th anniversary

Vandalia March 2, 2026 The Vandalia City Council and a representative of the Ohio Auditor of State recognized both municipal fiscal work and a local business at the city's March 2 meeting.

Joe Braden of the Ohio Auditor of State's office presented the city with the Auditor of State Award with Distinction and read the criteria that qualify an entity for that recognition, including timely financial filings, a clean audit report with no findings for recovery, no material weaknesses, no uniform guidance findings and no public records issues. Braden singled out Finance Director Bridget Lighter and her team for their long-term commitment to accounting excellence.

"The Auditor State Award with distinction is presented to local governments upon the completion of a financial audit that meet the following criteria of a clean audit report," Braden said, noting the award places Vandalia among a small subset of audited entities that meet the standards.

Mayor Richard Herps read a proclamation recognizing the 50th anniversary of Bo Townsen Ford Nissan and declared March 3, 2026 as Bo Townsen Ford Nissan Day in the city. Representatives from the dealership addressed the council and thanked city staff and leaders for their long-standing partnership.

Finance Director Bridget Lighter was invited to the podium and recognized for her role; the auditor's representative said she has been part of the city's award history for more than three decades.

The recognition and proclamation were part of the meeting's communications and awards; council members and the city manager publicly thanked the dealership and city staff for community contributions and fiscal stewardship.