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Virtual debate: Candidates square off

The JournalNews Editorial Board interviewed Butler County Auditor Kay Rogers and Liberty Township Fiscal Officer Roger Reynolds, the two GOP candidates who are facing off in the May 2 primary for the county auditor's job. Click below to view their opening statements, answers to questions posed by the board, and their closing statements.

OPENING STATEMENTS: Rogers and Reynolds offer their opening statements.

QUESTION 1: We'd like for each of you to explain how you see the role of county auditor and how that role interacts with other agencies.

QUESTION 2: What lessons, if any, have been learned from the Dynus loan scandal and how can those lessons be implemented in the auditor's office?

QUESTION 3: The current auditor's office has received numerous awards from the state while a Liberty Township financial report has been criticized by the state auditor and cited for serious discrepancies. How much stake should we put into awards and how serious is the matter dealing with the township's financial report?

QUESTION 4: We believe the tone of this campaign for the Republican nomination has been a negative one. First, do you concur with that, and second, are either of you prepared to help the other win in November against the Democratic opponent?

QUESTION 5: The Board of Commissioners recently provided their asistant administrator, Tim Williams, a 100 percent sick leave buyout provision that had the immediate effect of boosting his sick leave pay $44,000 should he resign, retire or be fired without cause. Was this a proper action in light of budget difficulties and could this set a precedent for other offices and office holders?

QUESTION 6: School levies traditionally have been fixed at the property values at the time of passage. But under a new provision in the recently passed House Bill 530, districts are allowed to tie the amount the levy raises to inflation, up to 4 percent a year. Most county auditors in Ohio opposed the change. What do you think about it?

CLOSING STATEMENTS: The candidates offer a final word.