MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—A new controversy has emerged in Marion, Ohio, centering on the city’s current Auditor, Miranda Meginness. An initiative to remove her from office is underway, led by Mayor Scott Schertzer and Councilmen Ayers Ratliff and Aaron Rollins.
Meginness took over the auditor’s office in November 2021, following the resignation of former auditor Robert Landon III. Landon’s tenure was marked by a tumultuous period that saw the city fined $153,000 by the IRS for mistakenly directing a payment of $1.28 million to the State of Ohio instead of the IRS.
Councilman At-Large Aaron Rollins has released a statement outlining his case for Meginness’s removal. He cites a lack of urgency in the auditor’s office and a failure to provide satisfactory answers to questions as key issues. Rollins also lists several instances of misfeasance and malfeasance that he believes meet the threshold for removal from office under the Ohio Revised Code.
These include:
- Failure to make timely payments to OPERS and OPNF
- Failure to comply with IRS regulations for 1095-C, with potential fines and penalties of up to $394,240
- Fines, penalties, and fees for late payments totaling $84,215
- False statements provided to City Council regarding the purchase/lease of a Fire Truck, resulting in approximately $54,000 in unnecessary interest
Rollins estimates that these issues could potentially cost taxpayers over $500,000 in penalties, fines, and interest. He suggests that this money could have been better spent on city improvements, such as downtown progress, infrastructure repairs, or upgrades to Police and Fire Department equipment.
The controversy surrounding the Marion City Auditor’s office continues to unfold, with the potential removal of Meginness from office marking the latest chapter in this ongoing saga.