County budget approved with 2-0 vote; commissioner abstains

The Logan County commissioners approved the county budget for the current fiscal year with a 2-0 vote on Wednesday morning. Commissioner Marven Goodman abstained from the vote following a back-and-forth discussion with the budget maker.

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Commissioners Mike Pearson and Monty Piearcy voted to approve the $5.5 million budget.

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Before the vote, Goodman questioned Jerry Putnam with Putnam & Co. on the miscellaneous revenue section and where the money comes from. Putnam stated the revenue comes from the treasurer and clerk’s books and that the revenue was not appropriated funds but revolving funds.

Goodman, who has been in office for 10 months, went on to say he is concern with the county failing their last six audits.

“My concern is over the past six audits this county has failed to pass. We still seem to be doing the same things over and over. I’m trying to figure out how we can get some assurance as a board that we’re doing things correctly.”

Putnam’s company prepared last year’s county budget for the first time, and according to county officials last year’s budget (2014-15) was audited with the previous fiscal year’s (2013-14) budget, which was not conducted by Putnam & Co.

Goodman went on to say, “Why have our budgets been failing? Why have we not passed state audits? Those are the questions that I am concerned about and would like to get some answers too. If that’s not within the scope of what we hired you to do, I certainly understand that, but if it is not we need to find somebody who can.”

Putnam, along with county officials in prior meetings, admitted his predecessor made mistakes, but says while he does not have a “crystal ball” he has followed state statues and provided available resources and requirements. He finished by saying the prepared budget was compliant.

Goodman quickly responded, “Can we get a guarantee from you on that? In writing? What I would like to do then is if you would be willing to sign a letter saying that you would be willing to refund the $5,000 that the county reimburses you for this service, if we fail the audit. I’d be happy to entertain that.”

Putnam, who says he works with six or seven counties on their budget and approximately 35-40 school districts, responded by saying his compilation letter was compliant.

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