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Norwich Township flags investment discrepancy, approves tax-advance participation and local purchases
Summary
At its May 5 meeting, the Norwich Township Board approved participation in Franklin County real-estate tax advances, authorized a $6,427.75 camera replacement at the cemetery/roads building and a $2,000 fair sponsorship, and discussed a possible independent audit after the fiscal officer reported a discrepancy in StarOhio vs. UAN records.
NORWICH TOWNSHIP, Ohio — The Norwich Township Board of Trustees on May 5 unanimously approved several finance and operating items while the fiscal officer raised a potential multi‑year investment accounting discrepancy.
Trustees voted to authorize participation in real-estate tax advances from the Franklin County Auditor’s Office (Resolution No. 260505.05) and approved the Fiscal Officer’s March financial report covering payables, payroll and bank reconciliation. The board also approved a $6,427.75 camera replacement at the cemetery and roads building with CityWide Solutions/Sterling Protective Services and a $2,000 sponsorship for the Franklin County Fair Family Fun Day pancake breakfast.
Fiscal Officer Omar Tarazi told trustees that the township’s StarOhio account balance appears larger than the amount recorded in the Uniform Accounting Network (UAN), and said the discrepancy may stem from an incorrect UAN entry entered years ago. Tarazi suggested the board consider an independent audit in addition to the state-required biannual audit; trustees expressed interest in the idea and agreed to reach out to neighboring townships to learn who they use for independent audits.
Trustee Brian Rothenberg moved the tax-advance resolution and the camera purchase; both motions passed unanimously with Trustee Trish Barker seconding. The board’s approval of the tax-advance participation allows the fiscal officer to request advances electronically as real-estate tax settlements become available during the 2025 real-estate tax year (calendar year 2026), per the resolution language.
The township intends to follow up on Tarazi’s investment concern, inquire about independent-audit vendors used by neighboring jurisdictions, and bring related proposals back to the board for consideration at a future meeting.
