(A) As used in this section, "fiscal officer" means the city auditor, city treasurer, village fiscal officer, village clerk-treasurer, village clerk, and, in the case of a municipal corporation having a charter that designates an officer who, by virtue of the charter, has duties and functions similar to those of the city or village officers referred to in this section, the officer so designated by the charter.
(B) To enhance the background and working knowledge of fiscal officers in government accounting, budgeting and financing, financial report preparation, and the rules adopted by the auditor of state, the auditor of state shall conduct education programs and continuing education courses for individuals elected or appointed for the first time to the office of fiscal officer, and shall conduct continuing education courses for individuals who continue to hold the office in a subsequent term. The Ohio municipal league also may conduct such initial education programs and continuing education courses if approved by the auditor of state. The auditor of state, in conjunction with the Ohio municipal league, shall determine the manner and content of the initial education programs and continuing education courses.
(C) A newly elected or appointed fiscal officer shall complete at least six hours of initial education programs before commencing, or during the first year of, office. A fiscal officer who participates in a training program held under section 117.44 of the Revised Code may apply those hours taken before commencing office to the six hours of initial education programs required under this division.
(D)
(1) In addition to the six hours of initial education required under division (B) of this section, a newly elected fiscal officer shall complete at least a total of eighteen continuing education hours during the fiscal officer's first term of office.
(2) A fiscal officer who is elected to a subsequent term of office shall complete twelve hours of continuing education courses in each subsequent term of office.
(3) The auditor of state shall adopt rules specifying the initial education programs and continuing education courses that are required for a fiscal officer who has been appointed to fill a vacancy. The requirements shall be proportionally equivalent, based on the time remaining in the vacated office, to the requirements for a newly elected fiscal officer.
(4) At least two hours of ethics instruction shall be included in the continuing education hours required by divisions (D)(1) and (2) of this section.
(5) A fiscal officer who participates in a training program or seminar established under section 109.43 of the Revised Code may apply the three hours of training to the continuing education hours required by divisions (D)(1) and (2) of this section.
(E)
(1) A certified public accountant who serves as a fiscal officer may apply to the continuing education hours required by division (D) of this section any hours of continuing education completed under section 4701.11 of the Revised Code after being elected or appointed as a fiscal officer.
(2) A fiscal officer may apply to the continuing education hours required by division (D) of this section any hours of continuing education completed under section 135.22 of the Revised Code after being elected or appointed as a fiscal officer.
(3) A fiscal officer who teaches an approved continuing education course under division (D) of this section is entitled to credit for the course in the same manner as if the fiscal officer had attended the course.
(F) The auditor of state shall adopt rules for verifying the completion of initial education programs and continuing education courses required under this section for each category of fiscal officer. The auditor of state shall issue a certificate of completion to each fiscal officer who completes the initial education programs and continuing education courses. The auditor of state shall issue a "failure to complete" notice to any fiscal officer who is required to complete initial education programs and continuing education courses under this section, but who fails to do so. The notice is for informational purposes only and does not affect any individual's ability to hold the office to which the individual was elected or appointed.
(G) The legislative authority of a municipal corporation shall approve a reasonable amount requested by the fiscal officer to cover the costs the fiscal officer is required to incur to meet the requirements of this section, including registration fees, lodging and meal expenses, and travel expenses.
Added by 130th General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 10, ยง1, eff. 3/23/2015.
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