close

Dunn questions whether commissioners can hire auditing firm

By Mark Hofmann mhofmann@heraldstandard.Com 2 min read
article image -

At the Fayette County commissioners’ agenda meeting Tuesday, Commissioner Scott Dunn questioned whether it is in within the board’s purview to hire an auditor.

Dunn asked whether county code permitted the commissioners to hire Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC to perform the financial and single audit for the county for the calendar year of 2021. He said county code states that the county controller, not the commissioners, must hire an auditing firm.

“They should only hire auditors to supplement the controller’s audit, not replace it,” Dunn said. “I don’t believe that is something we are committed to doing under county code.”

Commissioner Dave Lohr said the audit is part of a four-year agreement with Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC to perform the annual audit. The matter was voted upon last year, and the commissioners have to approve the spending every year. The audit cost is $88,000.

Dunn said he had the same issue with it last year.

Solicitor Jack Purcell said there are two things that need to be done for the commissioners to hire an auditing firm. The first is to send out a request for proposal (RFP), and the second is to hire a firm with the input of the county controller. Purcell said the controller did provide input last year.

Lohr and Commissioner Vince Vicites voted to place the audit agreement on the agenda for Thursday’s voting meeting. Dunn voted against doing so.

During Thursday’s meeting the commissioners will also:

n Vote on advertising nine county vehicles for sale. The high-mileage vehicles are sitting at the county’s bridge department, and either need repairs or to be junked, commissioners said. They are: a 2009 Jeep Cherokee, three 2009 Chevy Malibus, 2003 Ford Explorer, 2003 Chevy Express Van, 2004 Ford Taurus, 2008 Chevy Trailblazer and a 1998 Chevy truck.

n Vote on board appointments. Warren Hughes, Tammy Stenson and Sean Sypolt are expected to be appointed to the county’s Hotel Tax Grant Board from Oct. 1, 2022, to Sept. 30, 2023, and one additional appointment may be made to the Lafayette Manor Beechwood Court Board.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $4.79/week.

Subscribe Today