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As the city of Marion looks into the replacement of current city auditor, Miranda Meginness, the question arises as to who will be her replacement.
The auditor has many responsibilities, serving as the city’s chief fiscal officer.
The auditor handles the city’s books, accounts for revenues and expenditures, completes internal audits, oversees the income tax department, and is responsible for paying city employees–among other things.
Managing the money for the city of Marion, with its total budget of just under $52 million, on behalf of a city of roughly 35,000 which has 300+ full-time city workers, one would hope that the auditor would be appropriately credentialed and well qualified for the job.
Unfortunately, as a statutory city, which operates under the provisions of the Ohio Revised Code, the only requirement to serve as city auditor is that the individual is an elector of the city–meaning that the person lives in the city and is registered to vote.
No requirement for education or experience in accounting or finance. Nothing.
Auditor Meginness, whose tenure has been tumultuous to say the least, was originally appointed to the position and was subsequently re-elected in a 2023 race in which she ran unopposed.
Serving a four-year term, unless she is removed or resigns, the city of Marion is stuck with her until the 1st of January 2028.
But who will fill her position?
Admittedly, Miranda Meginness had some experience in finance and insurance, working several short stints (mainly as a teller and customer service representative) with a number of banks, credit unions and insurance companies.
However, she was not an accountant.
Although I wouldn’t necessarily go so far as to say that one should need to be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in order to serve as city auditor, I think that’s the level of education and credentials that would be ideal for the position.
But just how many CPAs live in the city of Marion, you ask?
Well, it just so happens that the Swamp Fox did some investigation into that…
Out of a total population of roughly 35,000 people, there are only NINE licensed CPAs who live in the city of Marion.
Only SEVEN of those individuals are under the Social Security Retirement age of 67.
That’s it.
Suffice it to say that, with those demographic realities, it’s unlikely that the next person to serve as the Auditor for the city of Marion will be a licensed accountant.
Unless and until the city is successful in implementing a city charter, which could see to the replacement of the elected auditor position with an appointed Director of Finance position, the city will likely struggle to find qualified and competent people to fill that position.