Graves County Fiscal Court Audit Finds Procedure Errors

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The Kentucky State Auditor’s office found the Graves County Fiscal Court failed to properly pay a contractor and report funds. The auditor’s office 2010-2011 fiscal year report released today shows the county failed to promptly pay a contractor for nearly 1.6 million dollars in clean-up work related to the 2009 Ice Storm. The work was done in May 2009, but was not paid for until more than a year later, violating state statute which orders all contract work paid within 30 days.

Graves County Judge Executive Tony Smith says he was waiting on FEMA reimbursement before paying the bill. Smith says the contractor and the county had agreed on that arrangement. Smith says he was not aware the state had different regulations. He says the county will comply with state rules in the future.

The audit notes Graves County also failed to report $71,000 in road fund assets, and exceeded budget expenditures in several funds. Smith says both were bookkeeping errors. He adds the county will be more careful in the future.

The auditor's office also released reports for Trigg County Fiscal Court, Ballard County Fiscal Court, and Hickman County Sheriff's Office.