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Michael D. Pitman reports about Butler County, Ohio, politics, county government, countywide issues and Butler County people just like you for Cox Ohio Publishing (including the Hamilton JournalNews, Middletown Journal and several weekly papers in Butler County). He wants your suggestions and questions for more news stories. Leave a comment for him here or e-mail Michael at Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2011 > August > 01 > Entry
Commissioners hire law firm for representation in apparent worker’s comp default
HAMILTON — Butler County Commission hired a Columbus-based law firm to represent the county at the Aug. 17 hearing concerning an apparent worker’s compensation default.
Following an executive session meeting Monday morning to discuss personnel, commissioners hire Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, LLC, to make the county’s claim about why its worker’s compensation payment — which was $877,820 — was almost a month late.
One estimate claims the county’s missed payment — which was due on May 15 and paid on June 9 — could cost the cash-strapped Butler County $1 million a year, but no one has been able to say how or why. Butler County Assistant Prosecutor Dan Ferguson had previously said he doesn’t believe that figure to be accurate, though he couldn’t provide one that would be more accurate.
No one has been able to say why the payment was made late, other than a letter to the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation attributing it to understaffing. But emails seem to point to a clerical error.
A late payment, according to Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation officials, would put the county in default and puts at risk the county’s discount rating. If the hearing’s verdict goes against the county, state officials said Butler County could be ineligible for future discounts.
Government entities are required to pay 45 percent of their annual payment by May 15 each year. However, since 1989, the county has been participating in a rating program by paying the entire amount in full by May 15 to receive a .0005 percent premium rebate for each day before the Sept. 1 due date for the payment balance.
Thoughts?
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: Butler County, County Commission, County Prosecutor, County budget
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By again
August 1, 2011 4:37 PM | Link to this
Are they really going to throw more good money after bad again.
By Commissioners enforce accountability?
August 1, 2011 7:02 PM | Link to this
“Clerial error”?? Ok. Who was the clerk? There’s the person responsible. Whoever handles the county’s workers’ comp is the same person who should have followed up to make sure it was paid. That’s who’s accountable, but it’s up to Furman, Dixon, & Carpenter to enforce accountability. Period.
By reynoldsatfault
August 2, 2011 9:27 AM | Link to this
this is an auditor reynolds error, again - period. of course he will want to SHARE the blame. He is an arrogant arss that has tried to bully every office holder since taking office, especially the commissionsers office - and once again he has made a big mistake but WIIL NOT MAN UP ! of course the truth is a bully when the stuff really hits the proverbial fan back down like the girl they are. get rid of reynolds and so many county problems go away not just political but day to day operational issues. bye, bye whimpy boy, you are on your way back to liberty twp. and daddy. it is time for your “girl friend” office holders to jump off the wagon, too, just watch.
By admin
August 2, 2011 11:48 AM | Link to this
from my inside view I think reynolds and carpenter want the same title, queen of butler county. go dodger go you have the rail.
By Jimmy
August 2, 2011 6:32 PM | Link to this
Two options on who caused this: Gary Sheet the Personel Director or Roger Reynolds County Auditor. Please note this didn’t happen when Doug Ducket and Kay Rogers was around.
By Rick
August 2, 2011 9:48 PM | Link to this
Don Dixon loves to hire those out of town lawyers and consultants. I guess none of the local attorneys were good enough. I’d bet that these guys do legal work for Dixon’s businesses.
By the ghosts of employees past
August 3, 2011 12:54 PM | Link to this
How much will this cost the county? Lawyers ain’t cheap and I suppose that CPA’s aren’t either.
By Fred
August 3, 2011 1:10 PM | Link to this
Here’s a novel thought, Gary Sheets who is Personnel Director is an attorney. Why isn’t he representing the county? Also don’t we have a county presecutor and don’t the sheriff have an attorney or two on his payroll? How may lawyers are we paying for and what are they doing?
By Bob
August 3, 2011 1:20 PM | Link to this
How many people have these commissioners fired, ask to resign or simply ran off who were doing their jobs. Now clearly someone didn’t do their job and nothing. This leads me to think that the failure was some elected official (how about it ROGER).
By reynoldsguilty
August 4, 2011 10:54 AM | Link to this
Bob, it is reynolds who has created an employee problem. reynolds has ran off or laid off a large number of experienced auditor office staff members so he can brag about savings. Reynolds has destroyed the office with his lack of management skills. Most of his Summitt Qwest friend hires are now seeing the end of the road and leaving his employ also. If he weasels his way out this mistake there will be another - guaranteed - and some poor staff member will be fired because reynolds will not take responsibility for his incompetence.
By insidestory
August 4, 2011 4:47 PM | Link to this
rumor has it that reynolds is protecting staff because he has no other option ! wonder why ? does this sound like the SOS in auditors office. we do not need a CPA auditor - we need an honest, qualified and decent person to lead - not dictate a selfish and self centered message that has little to do with county financial reporting and oversight.
By wellKnown
August 9, 2011 9:39 PM | Link to this
Everyone that works for the County is quite aware of what happened. Roger Reynolds office missed the payment and he has been threatening anyone that works for him if they come clean, he will fire them and find a way to discredit them.
By whatever
August 10, 2011 5:23 PM | Link to this
Reynolds, Reynolds, Reynolds. Meanwhile it is Dixon who has filed bankruptcy. Guess the county will have to pretty soon as well.
By John
August 10, 2011 8:26 PM | Link to this
I agree with “Whatever” Dixon’s Bankruptcy should disqualify him for any public office.
By undefendable
August 12, 2011 7:47 AM | Link to this
it is disgusting that anyone would try to defend the pompous, primadona a**e reynolds. i would add that normally “whatever” is used as a point in debate when one is frustrated and cannot support their position any longer or just to ignorant to deliver any intellectual statement.
By Small Business
August 12, 2011 11:45 AM | Link to this
It’s not just the one bill that was paid late, all the county bills are paid late. Any vendor doing business with the county is waiting 60-90 days to get paid. But you had better pay your taxes and fees on time to them.
By no business
August 13, 2011 2:48 PM | Link to this
reynolds needs to pay attention to his office instead of trying to impress hia lady friend treasurer. he acts more like a sophmore in high school chasing skirts around the office than a responsible adult elected official.