CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Tennessee State Auditor Jason Manpower spoke at Thursday’s Carter County Financial Management Board meeting.
Thursday's meeting addressed the county's second deficient audit and identified significant weaknesses, significant deficiencies and noncompliance in the Treasurer's Office, according to a report posted on the Tennessee Comptroller's website. It has become clear.
The report concludes with 10 findings, six of which are repeats from previous audits. Two of the findings involve Carter County Schools and the Solid Waste Authority. said the report.
News Channel 11 attended Thursday's committee meeting.
“The county knows we have a problem,” said Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby. “This is our second consecutive bad audit.”
The auditors alleged that the finance director did not properly maintain accounting records and did not disburse funds within authorized limits. Additionally, there were discrepancies in journals, and capital asset records and payments to contractors were not organized, the report said.
“The Carter County Treasurer's Department misstated its finances by more than 10 percent, or $11 million,” Manpower said. “It's going to be an issue around the kitchen table. It's certainly been an issue in the Carter County Courthouse.”
Manpower said the county audit has an above-average number of findings.
“Carter County officials should recognize that these audit results are unacceptable,” Manpower said. “The county had 11 investigations last year and 10 this year, which is significantly more than the average county in Tennessee. must be exercised to provide oversight and accountability.”
Mayor Woodby says plans are in place to rebuild Carter County's finances.
“Finance Board and Commissioners, we have a plan. We will work as a team to make this work great. Carter County's finances are in great shape. Our finances And our financial health is excellent. Our budget is healthy at $92 million. There is no theft or fraud. It will take a little more time to fix the problems of the past, but we hope to get there. Masu.”
Manpower said he believes Carter County needs to evaluate its finance director.
“Is she up to the task?” Manpower said. “There's no question she's a good person. Is she an effective finance director? I see no evidence of that. If we continue to employ this finance director, I would like to ask her to provide basic guidance on behalf of the people of Carter County.” They need to undergo intensive accounting training.”
Woodby said the county plans to enlist the help of a finance director from the comptroller's office.
“We would like to sit down with the finance director and really look at what the issues are and maybe get some further training with her,” Woodby said. “We're going to work with the inspector general's office. They're going to have more staff come in to assist us and give Carter County a little bit more extra time. We're going to take them up on that offer. I think it is necessary.”
Manpower said he hopes Carter County recognizes and recognizes there is a problem and that Woodby is actively working to address it.
“What scares me the most is that even though we announced a second audit in a row with more than 10 findings, there was continued silence from everyone except the mayor,” Manpower said.
Woodby said he is dedicated to the county.
“They are dedicated to Carter County, and so am I,” Woodby said. “We're going to work together as a team to make sure we resolve the issue.”
“Dear Carter County residents, as you look at Carter County and know that you are taxpayers in our community, we need to get our finances and finances in order. I am aware of it,” Woodby said.
But Manpower said the problem within the county is funding.
“That's why I came here tonight to speak directly to them. One of the things I did was try to speak to members who are here but are not members of the Financial Management Committee. These commissioners need to understand on a month-by-month basis that when they are asked to make spending decisions, they should not have confidence in the financial numbers that are being presented to them at this time.”
“When paying taxes, people need to have confidence that their money is being properly accounted for, used appropriately and not overtaxed,” Manpower said. “Carter County residents today cannot have confidence in the accounting system that the commission is allowing to continue.”
He said he is encouraging Woodby and other Carter County officials to consider funding discrepancies and how fiscal management could improve the county.
