Transparency in local government is vital to maintaining public trust and ensuring accountability. In Garfield Heights, residents have relied on regular financial audits to provide a clear understanding of the city’s financial health. However, as of March 26, 2025, no public audits have been released since 2021, creating significant concern among residents about fiscal oversight and transparency.
Why Audits Matter
Financial audits verify that city funds are properly managed, revealing whether there’s a surplus or deficit and if resources are efficiently utilized. This information is crucial for residents, especially amid rising taxes that have forced many to make difficult financial choices between essentials such as food, medicine, utilities, or taxes. Seniors and fixed-income families, already burdened by escalating living costs, need assurance their tax contributions are responsibly managed.
Audit Status and Financial Overview
The available audit reports through 2021 provide clear insights, but the absence of audits since then is troubling. The table below summarizes the audit status for each year:
| Fiscal Year | Audit Status |
|---|---|
| 2017 | ✅ Available |
| 2018 | ✅ Available |
| 2019 | ✅ Available |
| 2020 | ✅ Available |
| 2021 | ✅ Available |
| 2022 | ❌ Missing |
| 2023 | ❌ Missing |
| 2024 | ❌ Missing |
(Missing audits are highlighted in red to underscore critical transparency gaps.)
Implications for Our Community
The missing audits pose several risks:
- Loss of Public Trust: Without transparency, residents may lose faith in local governance.
- Fiscal Risk: Undetected mismanagement or financial errors could escalate.
- Community Impact: Financial uncertainty may lead to reduced public services and increased hardship.
A Call for Immediate Action
We urge Garfield Heights leadership and the Ohio Auditor of State to promptly address these missing audits. Transparency must be restored to ensure accountability and financial stability for all residents. Immediate steps should be taken to complete and release the overdue audit reports, confirming our city’s commitment to integrity and open governance.
Let’s work together to demand accountability and restore trust in Garfield Heights. Our community deserves nothing less than complete financial transparency.
For updates and to get involved, visit MikeDudleySr.com.
