Auditor breaks the silence…defends position

Myers

Editor's note: The following was forwarded to the Comet by county auditor Beth Myers from a prepared statement she read at the Monday morning county council meeting.

"I stated the funds are in balance and I still stand behind this. The funds the auditor is responsible for are in balance with the treasurer's office. The cash book in the treasurer's office does not balance with the bank statement which does not involve the auditor - SBOA (Indiana State Board of Accounts) representative has indicated to me that she has stated this to the (council) finance committee, treasurer and to me, the auditor. I also know that SBOA has stated this same statement to the county council president, Nancy Cripe, just recently. SBOA has also indicated that she has not examined the cash sheet that the treasurer says is in balance. This is what I am being told - maybe I have been misinformed.

"…It was also stated the treasurer and auditor acknowledged the excess of funds over and over the reporting of the accounts. I stated the CASH SHEET not the accounts.

"About overstating the investment - DLGF (Department of Local Government Finance) knew this amount was included. It is not their error when I reported this amount. My office was misled to believe that this was county general money. Information was provided by the treasurer, who did not realize or did not know how much of this money was county general.

"This investment was called "Cash Book" and was cashed in 2003 and placed in a savings account that would receive more in interest. This amount was listed separately on the Form 4B which is used to determine tax rates and budgets. DLGF, members of the county finance committee, a former auditor also received copies of this form.

"In February 2007, the county finance committee (not Ann Brown) (met) with Melissa Hardy and (first deputy in the auditor's office) Pat and myself to have these explained. This information was reported and explained to them by DLGF and myself. The information was also relayed and talked about with council members - not all of them, and my mistake, not in a meeting. I don't believe they understood. I did state several times that I had to put some of the savings account in the formula for additionals (appropriations).

"My mistake was not reporting in a public meeting. But I believe there is enough blame to go around - auditor and treasurer for not balancing, commissioners and council (for not) studying claims and reports, department heads for unnecessary spending. There are still claims being turned in - that are not necessary.

"I agree that communication is a key for our county's future. But I also hope that the county finance committee follows their own advice…to communicate with all. Several meetings with the DLGF and SBOA have been held without the auditor and treasurer - which could answer questions or give information. Since county finance committee have met with DLGF - I assumed that this info was discussed, which I should not have assumed. I had to request to be present at the SBOA accounts meeting and I invited (took) the treasurer with me. The treasurer and auditor should be included in the committee and work closely together, not behind each other…

"This investment mistake gave us a bigger budget - but the bottom line is we spent more than received in revenue. Reports or no reports, this was done. The county finance committee has set guidelines for the county to use with reports and other procedures and this will help.

"I believe Carroll County needs to adopt a budget soon - the sooner the better for the county. Let's move forward working together."