Residents accuse Du Bois administration of years of undisclosed bonuses; solicitor says city EIN-linked accounts under review

Debbie Meckling, a Monroe Street resident, told the Du Bois City Council on March 25 that an informal bonus policy paid officials and staff significant sums over multiple years and that the practice was not publicly vetted or noted in council minutes. "The bonus policy was in effect from 2014 to 02/2022," Meckling said, and she listed itemized payments she said included a $64,215.46 bonus for the city manager in 2022 and other bonuses to finance and public-works staff.

The allegations drew sustained public attention at the meeting's public-comment period. Charlie Meckling asked whether motions had been made to open neighborhood accounts tied to the city's EIN and whether prior procedures had been followed. "So I asked council to vote on it which our solicitor suggest that happens all the time," Charlie Meckling said, calling for the council to formalize oversight of such accounts.

Attorney Grant, the city's solicitor, told residents he and council are examining the records. He said some bonus payments date earlier than 2014 and that his office has identified "12, maybe 13 bank accounts that have the city's EIN number" that are not subject to the standard approval and audit processes. "Once it hits a bank account with the city's EIN number, that is taxpayer money," Grant said. He added the city is attempting to identify any additional financial institutions holding such accounts and that a new city auditor will review those funds annually.

Tom Guskey, a resident, summarized the public concern: "Who's watching this stuff? Who's making that tool happen?" He said the sums involved felt "staggering" and asked how the transfers could have occurred without council approval.

Mayor and council members said the matter is being pursued through the solicitor's office and that personnel and legal matters related to the records are being handled as appropriate. Grant said some personnel matters are progressing through established processes and that council will share information "as we get answers," but he also asked for courtesy in allowing individuals an opportunity to respond before names are made public.

The meeting record shows council members asked Grant and city staff to continue the review; no formal recovery of funds or specific enforcement action was announced during the session. The solicitor did not provide a dollar total for all the accounts when asked and said that some accounts are legitimate while others will require additional scrutiny.

What happens next: Council members said they will work with the solicitor and the city's finance staff to clarify which accounts and payments need audit and further action and will bring items back to a future public agenda as appropriate.