Only 6 of 10 Cities Pass Test on Public Records Request

In honor of Sunshine Week, Ohio Auditor Dave Yost revealed results of a state effort requesting public records from 247 communities.

"The good news is, six out of 10 cities responded to our request within the reasonable time we specified. Many of them did it in only one or two days, several even the same day," Yost said in a press release.

"The bad news is, far too many cities failed timely response. A very few failed to respond at all, despite three additional requests."

Last October, the Ohio Auditor's office asked for payroll records from 247 cities - Mayfield Village and Gates Mills were not included.

Michael Maurer of the State Auditor's office said responded within the 10-day period requested in the letter. supplied the records after a final, formal request was made in February.

However, Maurer cautioned that the purpose of the request was to get an overall picture and no individual judgments were made.

Highland Heights Finance Director Anthony Ianiro said department heads respond to public records requests and have a track record of providing information promptly.

"We respond to every public records request in a timely and efficient manner," he said. "There was apparently some confusion with this one and there was obviously some confusion on our part."

Mayfield Heights Mayor Gregory Costabile said his city is very vigilant about its policies and administrators are well aware of what is required.

"It's always good to see that it's working," he said.