Audit Findings Topped the Discussion at the November Madison County Commission meeting

There were no presentations by the county Mayor or announcements from the chairman at November's county commission meeting so business went straight to committee reports.

Commissioner Gary Deaton chairs the financial management committee and reported the findings of the 2012 Madison County Audit of the Comptroller. Findings were identified in several county departments including:

Office of Finance Director

Madison County Health Department and Rabies Control

Highway Department

County Clerk's office and the Clerk and Master's office

The items that topped the discussion were the findings in the Health Department/Rabies Control and the findings in Emergency Management Agency

Findings in the Health Department were "receipts that could not be determined" three complete books totaling 150 receipts. The missing receipt books led to a missing cash finding that auditors estimate at over $5,300.

According to County Mayor Harris, the money has not been recovered, the employee has been terminated, and the case has been sent to the District Attorney for further investigation. Auditors also found Rabies Control was non compliant with rules regarding handling deposits.

Auditors also had multiple findings in the emergency management agency. the report states that sufficient payroll records weren't kept and the payroll for a project manager was therefore questionable. There were incomplete time cards, time sheets that did not represent the actual hours worked. the wages totaled in excess of $38,000. Additionally, records show the same employee was paid for time known not at work. the employee was notified and the money, totaling $1633.00 was returned to the county.

The director told commissioners that as an emergency responder it was necessary for him to have the equipment in and on the county vehicle at all times since he was always on call. He statedd that he did not know using county employees on duty to perform tasks at his personal residence was a problem since he deducted he time from his own comp time.

Findings also indicate the EMA Director was using a county vehicle on three separate hunting trips. The county does not have a standard policy for personal use of county vehicles. The director was also found to have used county employees during work hours to perform duties at a personal residence.

The commissioners voted to begin the process of establishing an audit committee as recommended by the state.

All of the findings had been discussed in an earlier Financial Management meeting where committee members heard action items that each department head had taken to resolve findings.

County Mayor Harris reported that approval had been received from FAA and construction of a Fire Station at the McKellar Sipes Airport would begin soon.

Hal Crocker and Crocker Construction was awarded the construction contract.

Dr Tony Emison was reappointed as county coroner and medical examiner.

Dr Bob Carney, Ashley Tanner, and Robert Wyatt to the Madison County Board of Health

The next County Commission meeting will be 8:30 a.m. Monday December 17