By Betsy Finklea
Since August, the Dillon County Council has been discussing the possibility of having an independent audit conducted.
At the August 28 meeting, Councilman Harold Moody made a motion to have and independent audit. He said he thought that council needed to meet to discuss what they wanted with the auditor. H. Moody said they already have an independent audit done by CPA Chris Clark.
H. Moody said he made the motion because there is nothing to hide as far as Dillon County finances. H. Moody said he had “full confidence” in the treasurer and what the county administrator has done and said that he has full confidence in the financial system.
County Council Chairman Archie Scott said one of the reasons he would like to see this done is because a new finance director has come in, and he thought it would only be fair to him to get this done. Scott said this would also assure the public that council is doing what it should do.
Councilman Randy Goings asked what the cost of this was going to be. He said they were spending taxpayers’ money.
Councilman Buzzy Finklea said that he felt like any time they chance treasurers, county administrators or finance directors that some type of audit should be done to make sure everything is clear. He said he felt they were doing the new person a disservice if they did not do it.
Councilman Andrew Graves said they needed to know what they are looking for and what they want audited.
Scott said they would have to use the same auditor they have contracted, and he would like to sit down with him and discuss what they wanted looked at specifically. He said he thought they should have a workshop to figure out what specifics the council wants.
Councilman Joe Johnson said an audit would protect the person giving up the responsibility, protect the person receiving the responsibility, and protect the people of Dillon County.
H. Moody amended his motion to say that council meet with their auditor, Chris Clark, to instruct him on the areas of the books they wanted audited. Johnson seconded the motion. Voting in favor were H. Moody, Johnson, Finklea, Scott, Goings, and Graves. Voting against the motion was B. Moody. The motion passed.
The council held a workshop in early September to speak with the auditor. The auditor went over information about audits and answered questions for the council.
At the regular September meeting, the council received a proposal from CPA Clark on areas to be tested. They included procedures related to payroll transactions, procedures related to accounts payable transaction cycle, credit card and travel reimbursements, and general transaction testing.
This matter was tabled to allow the county administrator to obtain a price for the proposal.