Frank Kohstall, Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the Ohio Treasurer’s office told council that the program went live in September, 2015, and since that time 360 local governments have participated.

“Ohio is now leading the nation in fiscal transparency,” said Kohstall.

“I’m incredibly pleased that we voted to join,” said Council member Ethan Reynolds, who has been pushing for the city to join Online Checkbook. “People have the right to know how their money is spent. Now everyone can be an auditor.”

Online Checkbook allows anyone to view check registers for government agencies. Locally, the Tecumseh Local School District is participating.

“I’m not against it,” said Finance Director Colleen Harris. “We just switched over to SSI [the program compatible with Online Checkbook] and we’re still working out bugs.”

“We’re not going to do it today,” Harris said. “I would like to take time before we get serious.”

City Manager Randy Bridge was not sure when the City could get their finances online. “I think it’s a great program, but the timing is not right, given the staffing we have,” he said “If it passes tonight, it would be September, October or November before anything happens.”

Bridge said that the Financial Reports presented to council are already on the City’s website.

In other action, Bridge announced that the new playground equipment, provided by the Clark County Health Department, is ready. “$22,000 worth of equipment, and all it cost us was sweat equity,” he said.

Bridge also announced that the city has received playground equipment for toddlers from Donnelsville Elementary School. “We’re trying to decide where it’s going,” he said.

He also announced that the city still has smoke detectors available for city residents. Just call the Fire Department at 845-8401. There is no charge for the detectors that were donated to the city.