FINANCE

The Finance Department oversees all of the City's financial matters.  Its' responsibilities include budgeting, the management of appropriations, expenditures, taxation, and assessments, along with handling all incoming and outgoing cash and checks.

Mr. Bruce Scott is the Finance Director and the Assistant Finance Director is Mr. Jeff Stergar.  The public counter at the Finance Department is staffed by Sharen Michney.

The staff of the Finance Department is willing and able to assist residents with any city-related financial matter whenever possible.

City Receives Auditor of State Award for
Exemplary Financial Reporting for the Years 2015 and 2016

"Clean and accurate record-keeping are the foundation for good
government, and the taxpayers can take pride in [Willoughby Hills’]
commitment to accountability.”
Auditor of State Dave Yost

The audit of the City of Willoughby Hills of the years 2015 and 2016 by Auditor of State Dave Yost’s office has returned a clean audit report for both years.  This is the ninth consecutive year in which the State Auditor has expressed an unqualified opinion on the City’s financial statements.  As a result of its excellent record keeping, the City has again been recognized by the Auditor of State, Dave Yost, with the Auditor of State Award.  This is the fourth consecutive reporting year for which Auditor Yost has recognized the City of Willoughby Hills with this prestigious award. 

 “We are again thrilled to be receiving this award from the Auditor of State, especially since the City was declared to be in-auditable in 2006 and 2007” said Mayor Robert Weger.  “This award is testament to how far the City has come since that time.  The fact that this is the fourth consecutive year that the City has been recognized with the Auditor of State Award demonstrates that others recognize the City staff’s continuing efforts and commitment to timely, transparent and excellent financial reporting. 

Just as important, the Award demonstrates the staff’s careful stewardship of our residents’ precious tax dollars as the entire staff is careful to comply with all City and State laws relative to purchasing and other financial activities.  The staff of the City has worked hard over the last nine years to provide the citizens of Willoughby Hills with the sound, well managed government that they expect and deserve.”

The Auditor of State Award is presented to local governments and school districts upon the completion of a financial audit.  In order to receive the award, the City of Willoughby Hills’ financial practices and records had to meet the following criteria of a “clean” audit report: 

  • The City must file timely financial reports with the Auditor of State’s office in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP); and
  • The City’s audit report for the years 2015 and 2016 does not contain any findings for recovery, material citations, material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, Single Audit findings or questioned costs; and
  • The City did receive a management letter from the Auditor’s Office at the conclusion of the audit.  The letter contained two minor recommendations for improvement but did not contain any comments related to: 
    • Ethics referrals
    • Questioned costs less than $10,000
    • Lack of timely report submission
    • Reconciliation
    • Failure to obtain a timely Single Audit
    • Findings for recovery less than $100
    • Public meetings or public records

FUNCTIONS OF THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT:

1. Responsible for the handling and tracking of all incoming and outgoing monies in city accounts.
2. Manages all purchases and expenditures made by the city.
3. Pays and collects all taxes paid or received by the city.
4. Performs financial planning and reporting for the city, including the development of budgets and financial reports.
5. Ensures compliance with all financial-related obligations to the State and County Auditors.