Jun 17, 2002 By Patty Shultz 4 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – City council hired a Uniontown accounting firm to comb through financial records for 2000 to determine how nearly $50,000 was spent without an apparent paper trail. Following a lengthy discussion, council agreed to enter into a $2,500 contract with McClure and Wolf to attempt to find answers to questions left hanging after Kisiel and Associates completed the 2000 audit of the city’s general fund. The auditors revealed in that year-end report that no documentation was found for $48,698 in expenditures.

While Kisiel attributed the missing paper trail to a “reporting issue,” and one that would be corrected through an upgrade of the city’s computer system, council moved to have the “missing funds” located by an independent firm.

“We need to find where that money went,” said Councilwoman Judy Keller, who serves as director of accounts and finance. “That’s quite a bit of taxpayer dollars not to be accounted for.”

Bids were also received from Kisiel and Mt. Pleasant accountant Charles Kantorik.

Kisiel resubmitted a bid of $2,500 plus expenses, which council rejected last month when it first advertised the job. Kantorik, who has been hired by the city to complete a state financial report, submitted a bid of $1,440 for the work, the he estimated could be completed over a two-day period. Additional fees would be charged if the firm was unable to complete the review in the allotted time.

A resolution to hire McClure and Wolf passed by a 4-to-1-vote margin, with Mayor Judy Reed, council members Chris Wagner, John Whalen and Keller in support. Councilman Bruce Jaynes cast the lone dissenting vote.

In other financial matters, council authorized an overdue $2,500 payment to the law firm of Campbell, Durant and Beatty for its completion of the review of a policy and procedure manual for the city.

Keller said the firm contacted city clerk Rudy Dutko seeking payment, but a review of files indicated the city had not received an invoice.

“What we found was that that the invoices were being sent to the residence of (former Councilwoman) Sharon Rendine, instead of being sent to the city,” said Keller. “Ms. Rendine never contacted us concerning the wrong address or forwarded the invoices to us.”

Keller was unable to determine how many invoices had been forwarded to Rendine.

Dutko said he asked the firm to submit the most current invoice, which was dated in March.

The manual was initially compiled through the state Department of Community and Economic Development Peer Assistance Program at no cost to the city.

The city then asked the Pittsburgh law firm to review the manual to determine if it complied with state and federal regulations.

Dutko said the firm has returned the manual, but council has taken no action on its implementation.

In other matters, council also conducted the following business:

Exonerated Henry Opperman for 2002 city real estate tax on West Fairview Avenue property being used by the city street department and approved a payment of $18.58 to the county for the site’s county tax.

Agreed to advertise for bids to audit the 2001 financial records of the former Connellsville Parking Authority.

Approved the city’s annual contract with the Connellsville Area Senior Citizens Board of Directors.

Hired Shannon Halfhill and Candace Nudo as playground instructors for the summer recreation program.

Hired D&S Tree Service to remove trees leveled at Yough Park during a May 31 rainstorm.

Authorized the purchase of two 1999 Chevrolet police cars at a total cost of $10,000 and advertise for the sale of two 1996 Ford police cars.

Appointed Steve Shaffer as the city zoning officer at a salary of $10 per hour. Shaffer is an officer with the Connellsville Police Department.