Durbin Council questions legality of financial statement

Durbin Town Council members voiced concerns about several items on the financial statement set for approval at its January 14 meeting.

Councilmember Mike Vance said there were items that did not make sense, as well as one bill he did not see before the check was written.

“I’m not comfortable with two things,” Vance said. “[Treasurer Veronica Lane] charged us $190 for ten trips to the bank. Does she have dates?”

Mayor Donald Peck said he did not see a list of dates for travel to the bank, but he said the town reimburses employees 40 cents a mile for work related travel.

When he did the math, Vance said there was still a discrepancy. He asked for that item to be pulled, along with a line item concerning a bill for his own services.

“There isn’t any way I received $496.65,” he said. “I’m not letting something slide tonight without me saying that.”

Vance did not explain how much he did receive and what the payment was for.

Recorder Danielle Findley also shared her concern with the financial statement, pointing out a line item that she did not recognize.

“What is the $1,367 to West Virginia Department?” Findley asked. “Which department is it? It doesn’t say and I don’t remember seeing a bill for it.”

Findley added that she felt uncomfortable approving a financial statement which includes checks that have already been mailed.

“I’m not willing to approve the financial statement until we know if it is even legal to cash a check or mail a check out for payment for anything until we approve it,” she said. “If it’s incorrect then somebody owes us money. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t see how you can cash a check that hasn’t been approved, that hasn’t gone through the process of being accepted by the council.”

Lane was not at the meeting to answer questions and council explained that Lane resigned as treasurer in December because she moved to Randolph County. Lane worked for the town until the end of 2014. The new treasurer is Steven Queen.

Council approved the financial statement, excluding the three items in question.

In other business:

• Mayor Peck reported that applications for the election are now available at the town office. The filing period ends January 31. Seats available are: mayor, recorder and five council seats.

• Winners of the Christmas Lighting contest were: first place, Sam and Sherry Cassell; second place, Kenny Mick and third place, George Hipes.

Durbin Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the town hall.

Suzanne Stewart may be contacted at sastewart@pocahontastimes.com