Summer is almost over, and the back to school season is upon us. Earlier this month I had the honor of giving the August True Transactions Award to the Staples store in Hilliard, where back to school supply sales are ramping up.

The award recognizes the store for its sterling record of using accurate scanners and scales, but it also showcases an important function of the Auditor’s office: our role as the Sealer of Weights and Measures for Franklin County. Our other 2019 winners are featured here.                                 

The Auditor’s office protects consumers by ensuring that  you get what you pay for. At supermarkets, we inspect the scales at the deli counter and the scanners at the cash registers and affix stickers verifying the inspection. At gas stations, we verify that the pumps are accurate. In an effort to modernize the Auditor’s office, these stickers feature QR codes that you can scan with your smartphone to access information about transaction complaint forms.

At gas stations, our inspectors go a step further, and also check to make sure that the gas pump’s credit card readers haven’t been tampered with, in a scam that is often referred to as “skimming.” Once we’ve inspected the pump for skimmers we affix another sticker with a check mark and QR code.

The Auditor’s office plays an important role in protecting consumers from fraud and deception. It’s part of an accessible, transparent and accountable office that strives to provide superior service to the people of Franklin County. 

As always, if you have suggestions, I encourage you to contact me at (614) 525-5700, or at AuditorStinziano@franklincountyohio.gov.  

A More Accessible Website, Now Available in More Than 100 Languages

Recently, the Auditor’s office implemented the ability to view its website, which is the most viewed site in county government, in more than 100 languages.

“This new feature will increase accessibility to the many important services of the Auditor’s office and brings our office into the 21^st century with new technologies to serve the people of Franklin County,” Stinziano said.

The new option is available on the front page of the website and is powered by Google Translate. The updated language option reflects the fact that Franklin County is a diverse community and many residents who need to access to important Auditor’s office services speak languages other than English. Central Ohio is home to the country’s second biggest Somali population, and has large Latino and Nepali communities.

Auditor's Office Sponsoring School in New Initiative

With the school year beginning across central Ohio, The Auditor’s office is starting a new Sponsor a School program that will feature close participation of staff with students of an area school. For this inaugural year, the Auditor’s office is partnering with Beechwood Elementary School in Whitehall. 

“I’m excited for the opportunity to support our students and schools,” Auditor Stinziano said. “Through this program Auditor’s office staff will help support our community and continue to make Franklin County a great place to go to school and raise a family.”

In addition to helping with school supplies, Sponsor a School will feature year-round opportunities for staff to interact with and tutor students. A new school will be selected as part of the program every year.  The Sponsor a School program is complimented this month by a School Supply Drive that is also organized by the Auditor’s office. Supplies can be dropped off through Aug. 23 outside the Auditor’s office, 373 S. High St., 21^st floor, or outside the Franklin County Data Center on the 9^th floor.  

National Night Out Success For Franklin County

National Night Out was held in communities across Central Ohio earlier this month, celebrating neighborhood and police efforts to fight crime and support their fellow neighbors.

Auditor Stinziano attended several of the celebrations,  while Auditor’s office staff were present at more than 19 Night Out events across the county.

“I want to congratulate all of the wonderful organizers of this past week’s National Night Out events,” Auditor Stinziano said. “I am proud to live in a community where everyone works so hard to make it the very best it can be.” 

National Night Out started in 1984 and has since spread to all fifty states and is held annually on the first Tuesday in August.

Auction of Forfeited Property to be held this Month

The Auditor’s office will hold a public auction Aug. 27 of 9 properties that have been forfeited because of the failure to pay real estate taxes. The auction, which is held annually, will begin at 9 a.m. in the auditorium on the first floor of the Franklin County Courthouse, 373 S. High Street.

The listing of all available properties can be viewed on the Auditor’s office website, where potential bidders can also pre-register for the auction online. Bidders can also register the day of the auction at the clerk’s table.

The Auditor’s office strongly recommends that each prospective buyer contact a real estate attorney and/or title company before purchase, as all sales are “buyer-beware.” A $500 nonrefundable deposit is required for any parcel that is purchased at the auction.

Community Hours

Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano continues to hold weekly Community Hours meetings where residents can stop by and visit and share firsthand their feedback and ideas about the auditor’s office or any concerns they have.

The meetings continue a practice Stinziano has done since he was first elected to office. Community Hours will be held at the dates and locations listed below.

Tuesday, August 27^th 3:00pm-4:30pm

Transcend Coffee + Roastery (4050 Broadway, Grove City, OH)

Friday, September 6 – 1:30pm - 3:00pm

Westerville Library (126 S. State St., Westerville, OH)

Saturday, September 14 – 10:30am - 12:00pm

Family Missionary Baptist Church (996 Oakwood Ave., Columbus, OH)

Wednesday, September 18 – 10:30am - 12:00pm

Franklin Township Business Office (2193 Frank Rd., Columbus, OH)

Monday, September 23 – 3:30pm - 5:00pm

Worthington Library (820 High St., Worthington, OH)