News briefs: Lancaster Brewfest announces live entertainment

LANCASTER -- The 10th annual Lancaster Brewfest will not only feature more than two dozen Ohio craft breweries but patrons will be entertained by three Ohio bands during the event on Aug. 19 in historic downtown Lancaster.

Jamie Sagle and her band, The Ravines, have an energetic folk sound and have performed extensively around central Ohio, as well as on TV and radio. Jamie is known for her songwriting as well as her zest for performing live.

Bob Ras is a high-energy reggae-based band from Columbus, Ohio. They play a variety of original songs as well as roots reggae, jazz, ska and reggae-infused classic rock songs that are recognizable. They have opened for bands such as Israel Vibration and Culture and are celebrating their 8th year together as a band.

Popgun is made up of talented Midwestern musicians. They play the finest pop and rock music from the late ’60s through the ’80s, often covering music that other bands do not. Expertly performed music from Queen, Paul Simon, Led Zeppelin, ELO, The Beatles, Wings, Talking Heads, Cheap Trick, Billy Squire, Stevie Wonder, and others delight audiences of all ages.

“We are really excited to welcome these talented bands to the Brewfest stage,” said Brewfest Director Aaron Uhl. “Their talent adds to the celebratory vibe of the event, and we know our guests are going to love this level of entertainment.”

Tickets for Lancaster Brewfest are currently on sale. Information about the event is available at www.lancasterbrewfest.com.

Auditor’s Office announces Tax Incentive Review Council meetings completed for 2023

LANCASTER – As of June 29, 2023, all Tax Incentive Review Council Meetings for Fairfield County have been held.

There were five meetings held this year for the following entities: Fairfield County, City of Canal Winchester, City of Lancaster, City of Pickerington, and the City of Reynoldsburg.

State and local governments use a variety of tax incentives to attract and retain business investments, create jobs, reduce blight, and pursue other goals. These incentives are used with the expectation that each granted incentive results in increased property value, investment, employment, payroll activity, and/or other economic development benefit. The Tax Incentive Review Councils, chaired by the County Auditor, monitor the tax incentives and agreements and make recommendations to local municipalities about continuing the agreements.

Once the TIRCs make recommendations, they are presented to the municipality’s legislative body for acceptance, rejection, or modification. The legislative body must vote on the TIRC’s recommendations within 60 days of that municipality’s TIRC meeting. This year, all recommendations were to accept the reports and continue the incentives.

“The County Auditor’s website includes a summary of terms and definitions, as well as minutes and agendas for each TIRC meeting as they are available,” said Carri Brown, County Auditor in a news release. She added that some entities seeking grants have appreciated the ready access to the TIRC materials.

For more information on each Tax Incentive Review Council including membership, meeting details,and agendas and minutes, please visit https://www.co.fairfield.oh.us/auditor

Senate passes Schaffer bill expanding anti-fraud protections

COLUMBUS - State Senator Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) announced that the Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 91, which would expand anti-fraud protections over taxpayer funds in the public sector.

"I'm proud my colleagues and I took a major step in preventing fraud and abuse of public funds in Ohio," Schaffer said. "This bill takes major steps in ensuring those who seek to defraud the People of Ohio are caught sooner with less damage done to our taxpayers."

Senate Bill 91 requires the Auditor of State to create training material for state employees detailing Ohio’s fraud-reporting system and requires that the Department of Administrative Services administer this training within 30 days of employment and every four years for existing public employees and officials.

In addition, this legislation creates "mandatory reporters" in public offices such as elected officials, appointed officials, and those who have a fiduciary duty to a public office. A mandatory reporter is someone who is required by law to report a crime to the proper authorities immediately upon finding out a crime was or may have been committed. Those individuals who are classified as mandatory reporters in the bill must report in a timely manner upon becoming aware of any theft in office, fraud, or misuse of public funds to the Auditor of State’s office or local law enforcement.

The bill requires the Auditor of State to promptly notify the local chief legal officer such as the local prosecuting attorney or if a report that the Auditor of State has received included probable theft or fraud. The only exception to this is if the local chief legal officer is the alleged offender being reported.

Language in the bill also notes that a person who serves as legal counsel for a public office is not required to report a violation to the Auditor of State if it concerns communication from a client in an attorney-client relationship. The only exception to this is if it is the local chief legal officer, who is still required to file a report to the Auditor of State.

The bill specifies that the Office of Internal Audit within the Ohio Office of Budget Management may consult and share with the Auditor of State any written report regarding the misuse of public resources and is not considered a public record.

Senate Bill 91 also ensures that anyone reporting fraud under the bill is covered by existing whistleblower protections. Any employer found to violate these whistleblower protections may be subject to civil action by the whistleblower within 180 days of an improper disciplinary action.

“This legislation is an opportunity for the legislature to take part in ensuring that public funds are used appropriately, and taxpayers’ money is protected,” Schaffer said.

Senate Bill 91 will now be sent to the Ohio House of Representatives for consideration.

Meetings

The Fairfield County Regional Planning Commission is moved its regularly scheduled monthly meeting to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, at the Fairfield County Records Center, 138 W. Chestnut Street, Lancaster.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: News briefs: Lancaster Brewfest announces live entertainment