Morgan County tables financial report after members flag $10,000 interest discrepancy

The Morgan County Board of Commissioners on May 13 voted to table the monthly financial report after members pressed staff for details about an unexplained variance in interest income and a rent invoice discrepancy.

Board members noted a roughly $10,000 difference in interest credited to county accounts and questioned how calculation or posting methods produced that change. The chair said the variance represented “a lot of cash,” and later stated, “We want our money back,” expressing members’ demand for clarification. Kim Meredith moved to table the report pending an explanation about the interest; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Staff acknowledged the discrepancy and said they would investigate and ask the staff member responsible to appear at the next meeting with details. The board also discussed a separate item in last month’s minutes that listed rent as $12,000 while the current invoice to Wallace showed $1,200; staff said the $1,200 reflected a corrected invoice payment.

The motion to table was procedural: the board did not reject the report but postponed final acceptance until staff provides the requested accounting of interest and clarifies any invoice errors. The chair asked that the explanation include the calculation method and any supporting documentation to be presented at the next meeting.

Board members did not record roll-call vote tallies on the motion; the action was taken by voice vote. The board later approved claims for the month after combining appraisal fees and other items.

Next steps: staff will report back with an explanation of the interest variance and documentation at the following meeting.