Results of Sunshine Law compliance audits released

The test of 20 counties and cities for Sunshine Law compliance this year returned a mixed bag of results – with 40 percent having weaknesses in their public records policies and procedures.

Auditor of State Dave Yost announced the results of those audits this week in a presentation to the Ohio Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors.

“It’s disappointing in this day and age with all the attention on transparency that we don’t do enough to make sure the people’s records are accessible,” Auditor Yost said.

“We’ve just got to do better.”

Results ranged from full compliance with Sunshine Laws to the failure to centralize how public records requests are fulfilled and tracked.

Comments and recommendations are included in the entities’ management letters that accompany the audit.

Audits Containing Sunshine Law Comments:

Allen County
City of Beavercreek (Greene)
City of Bowling Green (Wood)
Crawford County
Cuyahoga County
City of Elyria (Lorain)
City of Harrison (Hamilton)
City of Portsmouth (Scioto).

Audits Containing No Sunshine Law Comments:

City of Ashland (Ashland)
Ashtabula County
City of Canton (Stark)
Clermont County
City of Marysville (Union)
City of Springboro (Warren)
City of Struthers (Mahoning)
Tuscarawas County
City of Urbana (Champaign)
Washington County
Williams County
City of Willoughby Lakes (Lake)

Auditor Yost announced the audits during Sunshine Week in March.

The audits analyzed procedures to determine if each entity has controls in place to ensure compliance with the Ohio Public Records Act.

Among the standards examined were prompt responses to requests for inspections and responses within a reasonable time for copies.

Auditors also examined records retention schedules related to public records requests, and best practice procedures such as training, redaction practices and documentation of response.