Journal-News.com

NEW MIAMI — New Miami Village Council voted 4-2 Thursday night to remove Fiscal Officer Joe Ebbing.

The move came after council met for more than an hour in executive session.

"Your services are no longer needed," Mayor Patti Hanes said to Ebbing, then instructed him to leave and take nothing but his keys. Det. Mike Farthing of the Butler County Sheriff's Office stood by as Ebbing got his items out of his office.

Those voting to fire Ebbing were Patti Moore, Bob Henley, Paul Stidham and Vernon Baker. Bill Flynn and Erich Smith voted against the move.

An attempt to fire Ebbing was made last year. Council attempted in April to oust Ebbing, saying he had disobeyed an order from the mayor.

After the attempt failed, Mayor Kenneth Cheek, Solicitor Gary Sheets, Councilman Bruce Butler and Hanes — then a councilwoman — resigned.

After firing Ebbing, council approved a contract with the Butler County Auditor's Office to take over the fiscal officer duties for the village.

Flynn dissented, saying the move didn't follow proper procedures. Flynn said there was no evidence presented during executive session that showed Ebbing had done anything wrong. Instead of terminating his services, Flynn said Ebbing should have been given a chance to comply with demands set by the council.

"He has not been caught with his hand in the cookie jar," Flynn said. Flynn also opposed the contract with the auditor's office because the language for the contract wasn't written by a lawyer.

"This was get even time," Flynn said. "They just created a big mess because they didn't go by procedures."

Paul Stidham, who recently won his seat back on the panel after a judge's decision, said the council has the power to remove the fiscal officer without cause.