History of the Champaign County
Auditor’s Office

THE COUNTY AUDITOR IN OHIO

HISTORICAL

According to Middleton's 1917 History of Ohio, when Champaign County was formed in 1805, there was one office - Clerk of the Commissioners/Recorder/Auditor. In 1809 the Clerk's position was abolished and the office became Recorder/Auditor with the Auditor absorbing the duties of the Clerk.

In 1836 the Recorder and Auditor offices were separated, with the Auditor still assuming the duties of the Clerk. It remained thus until 1972, during Paul Kite's term of office, when the duties of both offices became too cumbersome and the Commissioners appointed a Clerk.

ELECTIVE POSITION

The office of County Auditor is an elective position, the term being first two years then later four years. The auditor and one commissioner run the even year with the statewide offices. The other officeholders run the even year in the presidential election year. Salary for the position is established by the Ohio General Assembly and is based upon the population of the county served. There were 14 classes, or sizes, of counties. Champaign County was in Class 2, the next to the smallest. Effective for those officers taking office January 1, 2001 the number of classes was reduced to 8, with Champaign County in Class 3.

JOB DESCRIPTION

For many years the only elective county offices requiring professional designation or specific education were Judges, Prosecuting Attorneys, Coroners and Engineers. In 1987 legislation became effective which added certain requirements of Sheriffs.

The Auditors' Association proposed and the legislature enacted legislation to include continuing education for Auditors' in 1996. The Treasurers also now have continuing education requirements, and the Recorder's soon will have.

 

Clerk/Reditor

 

 

 

1805-1809

Joseph C. Vance

4 years

 

 

 

Recorder/Auditor

 

 

1809-1830

David Vance (Joseph’s son)

21 years

1830-1836

Mathew Magrew

6 years

 

 

 

Auditor

 

 

1836-1839

David Vance

3 years

1839-1841

Mathew Magrew

2 years

1841-1845

E. O. Fyffe

4 years

1845-1855

Frances M. Wright

10 years

1855-1863

Sampson P. Talbot

8 years

1863-1869

John MT. Zumbro

6 years

1869-1890

John M. Fitzpatrick

21 years

1890-1893

Simeon Taylor

3 years

1893-1899

Colin McDonald

6 years

1899-1905

Shepard B. Grove

6 years

1905-1911

Clinton E. Russell

6 years

1911-1915

Oscar E. Eby

4 years

1915-1919

William S. Coffey

4 years

1919-1931

W. B. Crim

12 years

1931-1935

Paul Jones

4 years

1935-1943

Earl D. Sexton

8 years

1943-1947

Phillip H. Gifford

4 years

1947-1963

Carey R. Barger

16 years

1963-1965

Jacqueline M. Calhoun Hoffman

2 years

1965-1975

Paul E. Kite
   Appointed in June 1965 to serve the remainder      of the previous auditor’s term and subsequently      re-elected twice

10 years

1975-1979

Leah Wright

4 years

1979-1983

John T. Rogers

4 years

1983-2009

Bonnie McGowen Warman

26 years

2009 - Present

Karen T. Bailey
   Appointed August 2009 to serve remainder of      previous auditor’s term.

 

 
Updated 10-22-09

Sources:
1917 Middleton’s History of Champaign County
Champaign county Board of Elections
Secretary of State of Ohio reports