Pulaski County is looking to keep a closer eye on some of its bank accounts. Auditor Laura Wheeler told the county council Wednesday that most county bank accounts are supposed to be under the jurisdiction of the treasurer, with all transactions being handled by the auditor. However, some departments have apparently set up their own independent accounts. “There’s four accounts that are sitting out there that no one has any handle on,” she said. “One is with the maintenance department, two with the sheriff’s department, and one with the EMS.”
The problem, according to Council President Jay Sullivan, is where that money is coming from. “If it’s just a bunch of people kicking in $10 a week so they can buy hamburgers for their deal, then that’s not county funds,” he said. “Then that’s fine, but if they’re getting receipts from the county and then they’re using the money, then no, they can’t be writing out checks.”
Many of these accounts appear to have been approved to some degree by the county council. Sullivan said that was the case with the one belonging to the maintenance department. “We did tell him he could do that, set up an account where he could go out and buy something on a weekend or whenever he needed it, but it still has to go through you. You have to disburse the petty cash to him. Then he’s got to give you receipts for it.”
Wheeler added that the sheriff’s department has set up its own scholarship fund, but it should really be placed in the community foundation. “Per the State Board of Accounts, they said, ‘We do not deny a scholarship fund, but we certainly frown on it.’ There are community services in most communities that handle scholarship funds. It is not something that the county should be doing, and so they don’t really give a blessing.”
She commented that all the departments were very open with her about the bank accounts. “I just don’t think they understand what the rules are, and so there was a determination by somebody,” she said. “Most of them came through the council, and they got a blessing for this.”
Council members recommended that Treasurer Teresa Bryant meet with County Attorney Kevin Tankersley to figure out how to correct the problem.
