Section 124. Accounting Systems to be maintained.

   Accounting systems shall be devised and maintained which shall exhibit the condition of the City's assets and liabilities, the value of its several properties, and the state of its several funds. Such system shall be adequate to record in detail all transactions affecting the acquisition, custodianship and disposition of values, including cash receipts and disbursements. The recorded facts shall be presented periodically to officials and to the public in such summaries and analytical schedules as shall be necessary to show the full effect of such transactions for each fiscal year upon the finances of the City and in relation to each department of the City government; and there shall be included distinct summaries and schedules for each public utility owned and operated by the City. In all respects as far as the nature of the City's business permits, the accounting systems maintained shall conform to those employed by progressive business concerns and approved by the best usage.

Section 125. The City Auditor.

   The City Auditor shall be appointed by a majority of the members of the Council. The City Auditor shall be subject to removal at any time by a majority vote of Council. The City Auditor shall provide an independent and objective review of the financial and operational functions of the City. The City Auditor shall be responsible for financial and operational audits of all departments, divisions, boards, commissions, and other agencies of the City. The City Auditor shall confer with the Director of Finance regarding such audits, and he or she shall report such audits directly to the Council and the Mayor. The City Auditor shall appoint a secretary and such numbers of auditing assistants as the Council authorizes, all of whom shall be in the unclassified service. The City Auditor shall plan and supervise audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and in consultation with the Administration and the Council. The City Auditor shall prepare audits of financial statements and appropriate financial reports of the various City funds in consultation with the State Auditor for accuracy and reliability of information contained therein and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and city regulations. The City Auditor shall prepare periodic reports to the Mayor and Council, summarizing internal audit activities, findings, recommendations, and actions taken.

(Amended by electors 11-7-00)

Section 126. Examination of accounts of officers.

   Upon the death, resignation, removal or expiration of the term of any officer, the City Auditor shall examine the accounts of such officer, and if such officer be found indebted to the City, the City Auditor shall immediately give notice thereof to the Mayor and the Director of Law, and the latter shall proceed to collect such indebtedness.

Section 127. When To Issue Warrants.

   No warrant for the payment of any claim shall be issued by the Director of Finance until such claim shall have been approved by the Director of the department and operating head of the division, board, commission, or other city agency for which the indebtedness was incurred. Each Director of a department or operating head of any division, board, commission, or other city agency and his or her surety shall be liable to the City for any loss or damage sustained by the City by reason of the negligent or corrupt approval of any claim against the City in his or her department, division, board, commission or other city agency. Whenever any claim shall be presented to the Director of Finance, he or she shall have power to require evidence that such claim is in conformity with law and ordinance. For that purpose the Director of Finance may summon before him or her any officer, agent, or employee of any department, or any other person and examine him or her upon oath or affirmation relative thereto, which oath or affirmation the Director of Finance may administer. If the Director of Finance shall draw a warrant for any claim contrary to law or ordinance he or she and his or her surety shall be individually liable for the amount thereof.

(Amended by electors 11-7-00)

Section 128. Appropriations necessary to expenditures.

   No money shall be drawn from the treasury of the City, nor shall any obligation for the expenditure of money be incurred, except pursuant to appropriations made by the Council in the manner provided by this Charter and the Ohio Revised Code.

(Amended by electors 11-7-00)

Section 129. Division of Treasury.

   The Division of Treasury shall be in charge of the City Treasurer, who shall be the custodian of all public money of the City and all other public money coming into his or her hands as City Treasurer. The City Treasurer shall keep and preserve such moneys in the place orplaces determined by ordinance or by the provisions of any statute applicable thereto.

(Amended by electors 11-7-00)

Section 130. Duties of City Treasurer.

   Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, the City Treasurer shall, under the supervision of the Director of Finance, collect, receive and disburse all public money of the City. The City Treasurer shall also receive and disburse all public money coming into his or her hands as City Treasurer, in pursuance of such regulations as may be prescribed by the authorities having lawful control over such funds.

(Amended by electors 11-7-00)