Zink offers assistance in making smooth transition between city administrations

Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink says that he wants to do what he can to make sure that there is a smooth transition between the outgoing and incoming city administration in the coming months. 

During the Hillsboro City Council's monthly meeting Monday, Zink addressed Hillsboro mayor-elect Drew Hastings, congratulating him on his win and saying that he wants to work closely with him on the transitional process. 

"I'd like to extend to you an invitation to come in and bring a list of questions that you might have," Zink said. "I'll sit down and go over them with you. We don't have to go over them all at once, but we'll address them and do what we can to make a smooth transition."

Hastings thanked Zink and said that he appreciated the invitation.

Zink, a Democrat, did not seek a third term in office after serving as Hillsboro mayor for eight years. Hastings, a Republican, defeated Independent candidate John Levo in last week's general election. 

Council's finance committee also noted that they would like input and support from Hastings as they move forward with a possible performance audit for the city. 

The finance committee had met with auditors from Ohio Auditor of State David Yost's Office on Nov. 7 and discussed the options available and how to fund a performance audit with the office. 

"The committee will be continually working on this until we come to some sort of agreement or decision on what the best way to proceed is," finance committee chairperson Peter Pence said on Monday.

Finance committee member Dave Shoemaker said he wished that all members of council had attended the meeting with the state auditors.

"It was very informative, and I think it's something the city of Hillsboro needs to proceed with," Shoemaker said. "It's costly. But, in another way, we can also possibly recapture that money, if not more."

The city can apply for financial assistance for the audit at the beginning of the year, and Pence said that currently the committee and council need to determine the scope of the audit they would like to have and what the city can afford. 

"Mayor (elect) Hastings needs to be included in on that," Shoemaker said. "That's going to happen, probably, in his term. We want to invite him into that so we have his support in it. It's going to take the support of all of us in order to have this thing done properly."