Fiscal Officer Kristen M. Scalise CPA, CFE is dedicated to protecting consumers and maintaining fairness in the marketplace. As the sealer of weights and measures, she ensures consumers in Summit County get what they pay for.
Most items are sold by weight, volume, length, count or measure: a dozen cookies, a yard of cloth, a gallon of milk, 30 minutes of drying time at the laundromat, or 10 minutes of vacuum time at the car wash. The Weights and Measures Division of the Fiscal Office tests the accuracy of devices used in these transactions including scales, gas pumps, scanning systems, timing meters and platform scales. They also inspect packaged goods to determine the accuracy of count and weight, and examine the method of sale on items such as firewood.
Fuel quality testing is also regulated through the Weights and Measures Division of the Fiscal Office. Summit County is the only county in the state of Ohio to perform fuel quality testing and enforce it through their county charter. Inspectors test for octane levels, water and sediment by using tools and methods such as the Scully Water Detection Device, Stick and Paste, Bacon Bomb and Zeltex Octane Analyzer. They look for accuracy of price per gallon, quality and quantity delivered. Fuel quality testing is performed biannually at approximately 178 fuel stations in Summit County.
Fiscal Officer Scalise advises consumers to be aware of the following issues in the marketplace:
Gas pumps: Be sure that the price advertised on the street sign matches the price posted on the gas pump for grade and type of service (full serve, self-serve, cash/credit)
UPC scanner systems: Most retail items bear a Universal Product Code (UPC). This symbol is a series of numbers and vertical bars which provides product information when electronically scanned. Watch the checkout display as the item is scanned to ensure it matches the price advertised and the price charged on your receipt.
Packaged goods: All packaged goods must be marked with a label listing the net contents. Net weight should not include the weight of the bag, wrapper or container. Consumers should only pay for the amount of product inside the package.
Deli scales: The scales and their quantity value indicators must be in plain view of the consumer, so you can watch the item being weighed. The scale should be at zero prior to the weighing and nothing should be obstructing the scale.
Look for the Fiscal Office seal: Commercial weighing and measuring devices are randomly tested by our inspectors. When correct, the seal of approval is adhered to the device. If you do not see the seal, then the device has not been approved by our office. For more information about Weights and Measures in Summit County, please contact our customer service at 330-630-7233 or email services@summitoh.net .
5.1. According to my vehicle’s owner manual, my gas tank holds 14 gallons. Why can I put 16 gallons in when I fill up at a gas pump?
The tank and gauge in your vehicle are not certified measuring devices. It is likely that your vehicle’s gas tank can hold 2 gallons or more than what is listed in the owner manual. This also applies to hand-held gasoline cans. These containers are produced with extra space for expansion of the product and they are not certified.
5.2. What should I do if the gas pump displays a charge before I begin to fill my tank?
This is called a “pump jump”. When this happens, you should notify the manager or cashier at the gas station. Make sure they reset the dispenser to zero before you begin pumping your gas. If you pre-paid with a credit card, the gas station should credit you the amount of the “pump jump”. You can also contact our office to report the problem by calling 330-630-7233.
5.3. Do gas stations add water to their gasoline to make it go further?
NO. Gasoline and water do not mix. Water will settle to the bottom of the storage tanks. If you get water in your fuel, it will damage your car. Our office tests for water and sediment in the gasoline. Look for the Fiscal Office seal on the gas pump before you fill up.
5.4. How often do you find water in the gasoline that exceeds the legal limit in Summit County?
Water is found occasionally in gasoline storage tanks. When we discover it, a water notification is issued and the product is immediately removed from sale.
5.5. Why is ethanol added to conventional gasoline?
Ethanol is added to gasoline for two reasons: 1.) it is used as an Oxygenate to lower emissions with a more complete burn of the gasoline, and 2.) it extends the gasoline (increases the volume) and raises the octane level.
5.6. If the automatic shutoff on a gasoline pump does not shut off and gas is spilled, what should I do?
Do not leave the gas station without notifying the manager or cashier at the gas station. Then contact our office immediately at 330-630-7233.
5.7. If retail scanners are reading the wrong price, who should I contact?
Contact our office at 330-630-7233. The Fiscal Office’s Weights and Measures Department checks scanners throughout Summit County for accuracy. We will send an inspector out to test the equipment.
5.8. Should I be charged for packaging material when purchasing a product across a scale?
NO. You should be charged for the product only, not the packaging materials. This is also known as the “net weight”. “Tare weight” is the measure of the packaging materials, and “gross weight” is the combination of the two. The consumer is only responsible for paying for the “net weight”.
5.9. I want to start a business that will sell items across a scale. What do I need?
Contact our office for guidance on how to sell items across a scale. Our Weights and Measures Department can point you in the right direction. You may contact an official by calling 330-630-7233.
5.10. Can I purchase a scale for commercial use and use it without consulting anyone first?
NO. All scales and measurement devices must be tested and placed into service by a registered service company or a Weights and Measures official from our office. This applies to scales and meters.
5.11. I am interested in selling propane in Summit County. What do I need?
Propane must be sold by the gallon or pound through a certified meter or scale that has been tested by our office. Contact our Weights and Measures Department at 330-630-7233.
5.12. In what measurement should I purchase firewood?
Firewood is sold by a measurement called a “cord”. A cord must equal 128 cubic feet. To be sure you have a cord, stack the wood neatly by placing the wood in a line of a row, with individual pieces touching and parallel to each other. Make sure the wood is compact and has few gaps. Multiply the width times the height, times the length. This should equal 128 cubic feet, which is a “cord”.
5.13. Should I buy firewood if it is sold by the “truckload” or “pile”?
NO. You should only purchase firewood in the measurement of a “cord”. A cord is defined by law, like a gallon and a ton. A seller may not legitimately use terms such as “truckload”, “face cord”, “rack” or “pile” because these measurements are not legally defined.
5.14. How can I protect myself when buying firewood?
When you purchase firewood, be sure to get a receipt showing the seller’s name and address, price, amount and type of wood. If possible, get the seller’s phone number and write down the license plate number of the delivery vehicle. If the cubic measurement indicates that you did not receive the correct volume, contact the seller before you burn the wood.
5.15. What should I do if I have a question that is not answered here?
Call our Weights and Measures Department at 330-630-7233.