From the Desk of
County Auditor Carri Brown
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Spring has sprung in Fairfield County and we are enjoying the blooming trees and spring flowers at our building and throughout the area. It's such an exciting time of year, as we wrap up school, plan special celebrations and prepare our plans for the summer.
Speaking of celebrations, the Fairfield County Auditor's Office is excited to share two special recognitions we received recently. First, an Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting from the Government Financial Officers Association. And second, a recognition we are incredibly proud of, the Auditor's Office was voted #1 in "The Best Places to Work" in the Fairfield County Community's Choice Awards! You can learn more about both awards in the stories below.
We have several updates to share with you in this newsletter, including information about the updated Board of Revision Handbook and online resources, hotel and lodging taxes that benefit local tourism, and a local survey we are asking public agencies and elected officials to complete so we can gauge interest in a financial leadership academy for entry-level and higher financial positions within local government.
In addition, we have our map of the month, a variety of community connections to share, opportunities to learn a bit more about some of the Auditor's Office staff, and important dates coming up in May.
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If you missed a previous issue of our newsletter, you will find all of them posted online. We encourage you to visit our websites for ongoing updates and important information:
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Carri Brown, PhD, MBA, CGFM
County Auditor
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News From the Auditor's Office |
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Fairfield County Receives GFOA Award for Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting (PAFR) |
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has given an Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting to Fairfield County for its Popular Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
The Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting is a prestigious national award recognizing conformance with the highest standards for preparation of state and local government popular reports.
In order to receive an Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting, a government unit must publish a Popular Annual Financial Report, with content conforming to program standards of creativity, presentation, understandability, and reader appeal.
Dr. Carri L. Brown, County Auditor, stated, “The Popular Annual Financial Report is a way to make the County’s financial statements more accessible to the public. The dedicated staff of our Finance Team works every day to ensure that we maintain fiscal responsibility in collaborative ways. We are proud of their achievement and recognition.”
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Fairfield County Auditor's Office Voted Best Place to Work |
The official Community’s Choice Awards of Fairfield County, hosted by the Lancaster Eagle Gazette, honor and celebrate local businesses with a contest that allows the community at large to select their favorite businesses in a variety of categories - from dining and services to education and top workplaces. The program launched on December 1, 2023 and winners were just recently announced. The Fairfield County Auditor's Office is proud to be the winner of the Top Employers - Places to Work category. We appreciate everyone who took the time to vote!
Congratulations to all award honorees and thank you to all Fairfield County collaborators.
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Creation of the Updated Ohio Board of Revision Practice Handbook and Online Resources |
Fairfield County is pleased to support the creation of the updated Ohio Board of Revision Practice Handbook. This handbook is widely used throughout the state as a resource for Ohio County Boards of Revision, practitioners, and residents.
It is accompanied by an online resource, the Ohio Board of Revision Resource Center, at https://www.co.fairfield.oh.us/OBPRRC. These online tools are additional ways to support the public and those who serve the public.
“Having served on the Board of Revision for more than a decade, first as a delegate of the President of the Board of County Commissioners, and for the past three years as the County Auditor, I can attest to the usefulness of these exceptional resources. Also, in multiple conferences and meetings, officials from other counties have reported how important these resources are to them and to real property owners,” stated Dr. Carri L. Brown, County Auditor.
Auditor Brown thanked Jason M. Dolin, Esq., for his ongoing leadership and consultation. Jason initiated the work to create these valuable resources, and he continues to be passionate about the effort. He has been a mentor to Fairfield County’s Board of Revision Administrator, Linda O’Toole, Esq., who joined our office in 2022.
With the handbook and online tools, real property owners and their representatives have more information available to help them navigate processes surrounding the valuation of real property. Professionals in the field also have readily available information to support them in their roles.
Our office will continue our support of this comprehensive effort to benefit public services in our county and in the state.
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Potential Financial Leadership Opportunity |
The Fairfield County Auditor's Office is reaching out to public agencies and elected officials to inquire about the possibility of developing a financial leadership academy for entry level and higher financial positions within local government. Due to the ranging education levels and professional backgrounds of employees who enter these roles, it has been identified that a more standardized level of training could benefit working relationships within and across local government entities.
In this vision, The Auditor's Office would lead the necessary training around relevant processes, procedures and terminology to equip professionals with a consistent knowledge base. The Auditor's Office intends to provide the training at no cost.
Before moving forward with this concept, we want to gauge interest on such a training and gather feedback on the structure and timing of the prospective program.
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Travel & Tourism Week is May 19-25 |
Did you know the County Auditor collects hotel/motel lodging taxes?
In July 1981, the Board of Fairfield County Commissioners passed a resolution to establish a 3% collection of lodging excise tax. This tax supports the Fairfield County Visitors and Convention Bureau (Visit Fairfield County). In September 1993, another resolution was passed to establish an additional 1.5% lodging excise tax for the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio (DACO). The 1.5% lodging excise tax is effective through 2027 - unless there is a legislative change.
In December 2021, the Commissioners amended the definition of a hotel to include lodging establishments with fewer than five rooms or establishments with rooms that are used for guests, regardless of whether each room is accessible through its own key. This includes using Airbnb and other types of short-term lodging reservation platforms, as well as traditional hotels.
There are currently 10 traditional hotels and approximately 45 short-term rental establishments participating. The Auditor’s Office uses technology to locate short-term lodging entities with sales and collects the taxes using an online process. There is no permitting process in Fairfield County for short-term lodging and townships are responsible for zoning.
On average, $350,000 is collected annually for the Visit Fairfield County and $230,000 is collected annually for DACO. Each of these organizations supports tourism and travel to Fairfield County, focusing on what makes our county unique. The uses of the revenues for these organizations are outlined in the ORC and as enacted by local legislation.
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May Map of the Month - Fairfield County Cemeteries and Memorial Day Traditions |
The May Map of the Month features cemeteries throughout Fairfield County and how many Americans observe the holiday by visiting celeries and memorials. Poppies are also worn in remembrance of the fallen during war - a tradition that began with a World War I poem by Jon McCrae.
"In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
There are an estimated 150 cemeteries in Fairfield County. For a larger version of the map, click here. |
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Juvenile Court Unveils Mural |
Imagine a mural that brings to life the magic and excitement that is the Fairfield County Fair! Through an amazing partnership between Fairfield County Juvenile & Probate Court and local artist Bobbi McKinnon, we were able to do just that!
Over the course of several months, Bobbi patiently worked with a few youth who collaboratively painted a mural of our beloved Fairfield County Fair. Juvenile Court was fortunate enough to be able to unveil this beautiful piece with some of the talented young artists on April 16 and publicly showcase their great work in one of the Annex locations.
The mural depicts a towering Ferris wheel, its brightly colored gondolas spinning against a backdrop of Mount Pleasant. The artists imagined the wonderous aromas of fair fries, hotdogs, elephant ears, and of course, the mouth-watering Jimmy Jawbreakers booth as you walk the colorful leaf-covered fairgrounds. Through their art, they depicted the sound of families and friends laughing with one another as they ride the carousels or play carnival games, and the beautiful sounds of musical performances echo throughout the grounds.
Throughout the mural, there are nods to the community's unique identity and history. As it was said in the unveiling of this mural, "Fairfield County is OUR home.”
“What was so priceless about the process of painting this mural, was watching how the youth and Bobbi supported one another the entire way. Youth encouraging youth who felt unartistic to participate and watching as youth came back week after week more excited each time as the mural and their work came to life was inspirational. This mural not only showcases the beauty that is the Fairfield County Fair, but is a physical representation of the power, beauty, and resiliency that can be found in community.” - Juvenile Court Diversion Team.
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Auditor Brown Participates in Grant Writing Seminar |
Dr. Brown presented at the OU-L Grant Writing 101 Seminar on April 24th. The event was attend by roughly 100 individuals who learned how to write a successful grant from start to finish. Dr. Brown was joined by Gretchen Gregory, Grant Writer Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program/New Lead Enterprises, and Amy Eyman, CEO of the Fairfield County Foundation. |
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Save the Date - Real Estate Summit - Serving Those Who Have Served |
Back by popular demand! Mark your calendars! We will be hosting a Real Estate Summit on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at the Fairfield Center in Pickerington. This event is geared towards those in the community who serve veterans. Topics include benefits and Ohio’s Homestead Program; the VA loan process; conveyance of property procedures; the mass appraisal process and Auditor’s real estate assessment webpages; and housing options for Veterans in Fairfield County.
This event is free and counts as 2.5 hours of continuing education for real estate and professional licensing.
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Thank you!
As part of the Celebrate Women Conference, attendees brought toiletries to donate to the Ronald McDonald House. Thank you to everyone who donated!
And let's take another opportunity to congratulate Dr. Brown, on receiving the Jane Johnsen Vision for Women Award!
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Wherever You (Lo)Go
Our latest initiative is to have team members take photos while they are at various meetings or on vacations. Jess and her family took the Logo to Florida this past month!
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Our Office Family is Expanding! |
Amanda, our Settlements and Administration Analyst, will be welcoming a little one this summer! We enjoyed celebrating her and the baby at a surprise baby shower! |
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Getting to Know Michelle Wright |
How we know she knows what she's doing:
- Degree: BA in Applied Business Management
- Certificates: Notary Public, Life and Health Insurance Agent
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Previous employment/experience: 10 yrs at Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities as the Fiscal Officer; 3 yrs at Fairfield Medical Center as Compliance Coordinator; 17 years in corporate banking management
What does it mean to you to “Serve.Connect.Protect?”
To “Serve.Connect.Protect” means there is an understanding of how your actions create a ripple, which creates another ripple, and eventually a multitude of ripples. Therefore, each action must be performed with integrity and in mindful awareness that the outcome is going to reach far beyond the immediate impact you see.
Why do you choose to work at the Fairfield County Auditor’s Office?
After being a member of the implementation team to integrate changes for our data management system, I discovered how I completely enjoyed working with departments from all over the county. I enjoyed the network of collaboration and the positive changes it can provide. I loved being able to understand all perspectives of the financial process, and often joked I was the “bridge of knowledge” to support understanding between our centralized finance department and other county departments. This role soon evolved to a “need” and the job description seemed to fit me. With a little encouragement to leave my comfort zone at Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities, I decided to jump on board with the Auditor’s team to help bring about positive changes and enhancements to our processes, and strengthen the relationships of all of those involved.
When she's not in the office, you can find her:
Hanging out in a barn tending to goats or cattle, attending a livestock show, supporting youth development through 4-H, conducting business matters of the Perry County Junior Fair Board, and in TRUE down time…hanging out with her friends and family while camping or on the lake!
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Building Effective Communication |
Our office frequently invites guest speakers to our all-staff meetings. In March we had the pleasure of welcoming Lillian Zarzar. Lillian led an in-service on communication mastery. Lillian is a public speaker, author, and coach with the Zarzar Group. It is always wonderful to hear from Lillian and our staff always comes away with terrific ideas for effective communication.
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Did you know we have over 4,275 followers across our four social media platforms? If you’re not one of those 4,275, you should join and follow!
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The mode, median, and average response time for public records requests to the County Auditor’s Office is within one day. If you have a request, please contact Rachel Elsea at rachel.elsea@fairfieldcountyohio.gov.
Frequently Used Forms
Most of the County Auditor forms can be found on our website. Special thanks go out to Angel Horn, Deputy Auditor, for updating our vendor forms.
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May Dates of Interest
Military Awareness Month
5-11 - Public Service Recognition Week
15 – Peace Officer Memorial Day
27 – Memorial Day (County Offices Closed)
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September 26 – Real Estate Summit – Serving Those Who Have Served |
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Fairfield County Auditor's Office | Website
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