John M. Baranek
Stow Finance Director since 1996.

Prior Experience:
Former corporate controller and corporate accountant.

Education:
B.B A. Accounting (1977), and M.B.A. in Business Administration (1979) from St. Edward's University; Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State of Ohio.

John and his wife Anne, have three children and have been residents of Stow since 1988.

The Stow Finance Department receives multiple awards in the area of financial reporting.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States has recognized the City of Stow Finance Department for achieving the highest standards in government accounting and financial reporting as reported in the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (C.A.F.R.) for 2008. This is the ninth consecutive year that the Stow Finance Department has won this award.

The Auditor of the State of Ohio presented the City of Stow Finance Department "The Auditor's Award" for meeting the strict standards of the United States Government Finance Officers Association (G.F.O.A.) and the strict standards set forth by the Auditor of State's Office. This award has been presented for years 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, 2007 and 2008.

About the Finance Department....

The duties and responsibilities of the Director of Finance are set forth in the Stow City Charter.

The Director of Finance is charged with the administration of all fiscal affairs of the City of Stow. In doing so, the Director must maintain the accounting procedures necessary for keeping the complete financial records of assets and liabilities, receipts and disbursements, and property of the City.

The Director of Finance is to receive, and be accountable for, all funds belonging to the City of Stow. Also, no obligation can be incurred or expenditure made unless the Director approves and certifies that the funds have been appropriated and are available in the City treasury.

Overall, the Director of Finance is responsible for maintaining the City of Stows financial integrity and fiscal well-being.

Organizational Structure
Areas of respsonsibility by the Director of Finance.

Bond Rating (Credit Rating)
In August of 2004 the City's debt rating was upgraded from A1 to Aa3 by Moody's Investors Service. This high rating is due to the City's overall financial performance over the past eight years

Safety Building Refunding Bond Issue
The Finance Department successfully refinanced the remaining Safety Building debt at a lower interest rate, yielding a net total future savings to the City of $1.1 million.