The months-long debate over Treasurer Tommy Reese receiving reconciliation training seems to have come to a standstill at City Council’s June 9 meeting.
At the end of Monday night’s meeting, Shawn Barr, Ward 1, asked Reese directly for an update on the status of his training.
“I hate to be blunt, but I just want to get to it and figure out is there a willingness to perform the training that … Veritas has recommended?” Barr asked.
Reese did not reply.
Ayers Ratliff, Ward 4, reminded the administrators they are compelled to answer questions asked by City Council. Reese did not reply to Ratliff or Barr.
“I’ll take that as a no,” Barr said.
Treasurer Tommy Reese says City Council is trying to change his job, which council members repeatedly denied. “I have six months to go or so, and they want to change my job, and I haven’t been trained to do that,” he said.
Law director sends letter outlining what reconciliation is
Reese referenced a letter that was sent to him signed by Law Director Mark Russell and Auditor Miranda Meginness. Reese told City Council he had questions about the contents of the letter.
The letter, sent May 22, outlined the definition of reconciliation according to the Ohio Revised Code and the Auditor of State. The letter quotes the Auditor of State saying reconciliation is, “The process [of] ensuring that cash balances presented in the cash journal are in agreement with depository balances.”
At the end of the letter, Meginness and Russell wrote that should Reese have questions, he should reach out to schedule a meeting.
“I do have questions,” Reese said during the City Council meeting Monday. “And I’m not going to do it in front of the city council meeting. …”
Reese responded to the letter the same day it was sent saying he had additional questions. Council members told Reese he should have scheduled a meeting.
Barr told Reese he’d follow up and schedule a meeting to address Reese’s questions. Russell confirmed Friday a meeting was scheduled for June 17.
As the treasurer is an elected official neither the mayor’s office nor City Council can compel Reese to receive the training. However, Russell reminded City Council on June 9 there was a way to have Reese removed from office, which can be initiated by any elector in the City of Marion.
Before council moved on, Ratliff jumped in.
“Madam president, this is the most unfun game that anybody has played,” Ratliff said, “and meanwhile our city books continue to be screwed up and we just sit up here and play semantics and play games and it’s just it’s so old. It’s so old and tiresome.”
On Friday, Reese said City Council is trying to change his job, which council members repeatedly denied.
“I have six months to go or so, and they want to change my job, and I haven’t been trained to do that,” Reese said Friday.
Reese had intended to run for treasurer again in November, but he has withdrawn from the election.
Could Reese be removed from office?
As the treasurer is an elected official neither the mayor’s office nor City Council can compel Reese to receive the training.
However, Russell reminded City Council on June 9 that there was a way to have Reese removed from office, which can be initiated by any elector in the City of Marion.
“If the officer is not willing to do the job, there is a process,” Russell said.
According to Ohio Revised Code section 733.72, if an elector of the City of Marion, along with four other electors, file a complaint in the form of an affidavit with the probate court, a judge is required to charge the named person with a citation to appear in court.
“There’s an Ohio Revised Code process, which has the court conducting essentially, a trial or a hearing to determine whether or not the elected office holder is satisfying his or her obligation in their elected position,” Russell said.
Russell would be obligated to prosecute the case if it went to trial.
Complaints can be filed if an officer has received compensation such as a bribe, if the officer has a financial interest in a contract or other work, or if they are failing to perform their duties correctly.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion council revisits treasure training, removal could be an option