NELSONVILLE, Ohio — At its most recent regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 23, Nelsonville City Council read an ordinance to accept restitution payments from undisclosed parties, among other business.
Ordinance 05-23, which appeared on first reading, states in part: “Whereas, numerous individuals owe the City of Nelsonville moneys for findings of restitution and recovery against the individuals.”
Further, the ordinance states: “The city auditor… shall have the authority to accept, approve, authorize and enter into agreements to collect money for prior findings, recovery and restitution against individuals who owe the city of Nelsonville.”
Council member Dan Sherman asked if the city has a restitution pay schedule and how much money is expected.
Nelsonville City Auditor Taylor Sappington said the ordinance is “not for anyone in particular,” but noted that the situation of former deputy auditor Stephanie Wilson was brought up when the legislation was discussed in committee.
Late last year, the Ohio State Auditor issued Wilson $336,325 in Findings for Recovery. Wilson, who is currently serving a 59-month prison sentence for theft in office, paid $26,808 in restitution to the city between May 2021 and mid-November 2022.
Sappington told Sherman that the ordinance includes Wilson, “as well as any others … unless council would like to limit that.” Sherman said he knew of other individuals ordered to pay restitution to the city.
A member of the public asked who is paying restitution to the city, and said that those payments “should not be lumped [together with] the previous auditor.” Law Director Bob Toy advised the council not to engage with the question, however, stating, “We’re done with citizens comment.”
The Independent recently reported that former Nelsonville City Manager Scott Frank, who resigned in early January, “has agreed to pay restitution to the City of Nelsonville in the amount of $3,262.35,” according to a letter to the city from the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Independent sent Sappington a request Wednesday for records related to ongoing restitution payments to the city. The request has not yet been fulfilled.
In other business, on Jan. 23, the council heard first reading of an ordinance appropriating $19.5 million for the 2023 budget. The budget is retroactive to Jan. 1.
Additionally, Sappington announced that the Ohio State Auditor awarded Nelsonville the Auditor of State Award for its 2021 clean audit.
The council also heard public comment from two former council members, Greg Smith and Wanda Johnson, who critiqued the city government.
Smith encouraged council to rehire former police officer Chris Jones, who Smith said was “abused.”
“Let’s try to right things that happened that were wrong,” Smith said.
Smith is currently suing the city, Frank, former Nelsonville police chiefs Scott Fitch and K.J. Tracy (both now work for the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office; Fitch is sheriff), and former mayor’s court clerk Jessica Mount. In the same case, he is also seeking the court-ordered release of public records, the Athens Messenger reported.
Johnson addressed Frank’s 2020 hiring and his departure in early January 2023. Frank served as interim city manager from February to June 2020, when he was permanently hired.
Initially, Johnson, then-council member Smith, and former council members Linda Watkins and Carla Grant all voted against Frank’s permanent hire. Johnson said she voted against his hiring not because she opposed it, but because “things needed to be in place,” adding that “Dan Sherman messed it all up and called for a vote.”
She said backlash from Sappington and others, including an “attack on Carla [Grant],” made her feel unsafe continuing on city council.
“I am sad to stand here tonight after two years and see what you have done to our city and what you have done to Scott Frank’s life,” Johnson concluded.
Nelsonville City Council meets every other Monday of each month. Its next regular meeting will be Monday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m. in Nelsonville City Council Chambers, 211 Lake Hope Dr. Find more at cityofnelsonville.com.
