KINGWOOD — Every government agency worries when money is missing, but that’s not the problem facing the Preston County Commission.
Commissioners’ concern is that the sheriff’s tax office has about $1,050 more than it should.
“I hired an accountant to figure this out,” Sheriff Jim Fields said. “I want to get this straightened out. I know she doesn’t do government audits, but I have to stand beside her. It shows we have $1,000 and change in our favor.”
Fields hired Lauren Tudesko, who has a bookkeeping business in Kingwood, to help figure out where the problem is.
Commission President Don Smith said the problem isn’t just the money. It’s the line items not matching. He said the commission needs to find where the problem is or the commission will never be sure if anything in the records is correct.
“We don’t know what’s where,” Smith said.
The suggestion of a possible forensic audit was brought to the table. County Administrator Nathan Raybeck said that would cost about $250 an hour.
Smith said going in that direction would require finding out about how many hours it would take to do the audit. He said it would have to go back to previous administrations.
Smith said a number of years ago, one of the employees in the tax office was arrested for embezzling money and the county never knew exactly how much was taken. He was referring to an incident reported by The Dominion Post on Jan. 25, 2011, when a former tax deputy who was sentenced to serve five years probation for embezzling about $74,000 from the tax office.
In other commission business this week:
- Commissioners approved a proclamation to declare Sept. 17-23 Constitution Week. The proclamation was presented and read by Karen Kurilko, who was representing the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). This year marks the 236 anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. Commissioners also approved Kurilko’s request to use the courthouse lawn to ring the courthouse bell as part of Bells Across America, which will take place at 4 p.m. Sept. 17.
- Commissioners approved the following individuals to serve on the EMS board: Shawna Knotts, paid EMS, KAMP Ambulance; Brian La Rue and Stan Betler to represent the public; Adam Bachtel, unpaid EMS, Union; and Samantha Stone to represent the commission as a non-voting member.
County offices will be closed Monday in honor of Labor Day.
The next meeting of the Preston County Commission will be 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
