BELLAIRE, Ohio – It was standing room only Wednesday morning in the Village of Bellaire council chambers as several residents attended a special meeting called after mayor Robert Dodrill rescinded his resignation Monday. The meeting ran from 10 a.m. to nearly 12:30 p.m. including a lengthy executive session in closed chambers.
You can watch the Facebook livestream of the meeting here on the River News Facebook page.
Dodrill addressed the crowd and council, explaining that he was unable to update anyone on fiscal issues faced by the village per the State of Ohio Auditor’s office.
“My hands were tied,” Dodrill said as he stated that the auditor had told him not to discuss the investigation and fiscal findings until now.
Dodrill pointed to several issues from previous village administrations including $70,000 in IRS checks sent to the village which were never cashed or deposited dating back to 2022.
Janet Richardson, President of Council, said the village would explore whether the IRS could reissue those checks since they became invalid 90 days after being written with some dated four years ago.
Dodrill also raised concerns about potential interference with records during the state auditor’s review process. Dodrill said he met with a state auditor in Bellaire village offices and alleges that someone with access to the village fiscal software system was deleting important files from the computer system in “real time” as the auditor and Dodrill were reviewing records. Dodrill said the state of Ohio auditor’s office is investigating.
“There were files that were deleted… we actually watched it in real time,” Dodrill said, adding that someone appeared to be accessing the system while officials and auditors were reviewing it.
He added that the auditor is also investigating the 2022 water department finances and police fund. Dodrill said that the village uses a lesser known fiscal software called Civica and will be switching to the more commonly used UAN fiscal software. He said part of the problem in determining the village fiscal situation is that few people know how to use the current software.
Dodrill suggested the village cut $1 million from its budget.
In personnel matters, council said the village will meet its payroll obligations this week. Fiscal officer Ginny Favede resigned last week. Village adminstrator Scott Porter recently resigned and Dodrill insisted he did not fire him. Dodrill said he told Porter if he did not do his job he would look at other applicants. Richardson said Dodrill had a “mistep” and violated Ohio Revised Code personnel rules.
Council woman Elizabeth Dugmore said she was “devastated” that Porter quit and that he had a “complicated” job.
A few Bellaire residents posed questions at the meeting. Richardson asked them to state their names and addresses “for the record.” Each resident complied.
Residents complained about poor street conditions, potholes and water issues.
After one man expressed his concerns, he told Dodrill that he wished him “good luck.” Council woman Dugmore interrupted the man, stating that he did not wish the council luck, just the mayor. Dugmore confronted the man and listed things the council does not have access to money and checks. The man replied saying that Dugmore had not let him finish speaking and that he did wish everyone there well.
Council went into executive session for nearly and hour then reconvened with no further items. They then adjourned the meeting around 12:30 p.m.
Mayor Robert Dodrill says progress was made during the meeting, with officials beginning to move past disagreements and focus on working together.
“I think there was a lot accomplished,” Dodrill said. “We finally started talking so that we can move forward in a positive manner… I think we’re going to be able to work together now and go forward.”
Dodrill acknowledged tensions but said the meeting showed cooperation is possible. “Everybody has disagreements… but I think it showed today that we can all get along now,” he said.
On the issue of audits, Dodrill explained the Ohio Auditor of State is working to catch up on unfinished reviews from previous administrations. The last fully completed audit covered 2020, while the 2021 audit has now been finalized.
“They found some discrepancies,” Dodrill said, noting a special investigative unit is now involved. “They’re in here helping us… and we’re trying to move forward.”
The mayor said the investigation remains ongoing, with no timeline given for completion. Additional audits from 2022 onward still need to be conducted.
Looking ahead, Dodrill said another special meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 16 at 10 a.m. day to address hiring a Water Distribution Coordinator/Backhoe Operator. The next regular council meeting expected April 23 at 5 p.m. in council chambers.
