Tax Assessor/Collector’s attorney responds to audit findings

Larry Morris of Buffalo's Bethel Baptist Church led the opening prayer for the Leon County Commissioners Court meeting of March 24. Judge Ryder presided and all commissioners were present to take care of county business.

A large portion of the meeting was devoted to Tax Assessor/Collector Louise Wilson's response to the findings of the internal audit of her office, reported by County Auditor Susan Pugh at the March 15 court. The commissioners had blocked out time for Wilson's response in executive session, but her legal counsel, Attorney John Bankhead, requested that it take place in open session. Speaking on behalf of Mrs. Wilson, who has held that elected office since 1985, the attorney stressed that Mrs. Wilson puts in extremely long work days and stated that her office would be severely understaffed to meet some of the suggestions of the auditor's findings, especially during the peak period of October through March. He addressed sixteen individual findings and related the veteran tax assessor's supporting reasons for current policy and/or procedural changes which her office would be implementing for each item. As Wilson concluded the list, Judge Ryder responded, "We'll take this under advisement, and we'll be in good shape."

During the opportunity for public comments Larry McLain reported that the College Station census office is needing approximately 75 local residents to be census takers in Leon County.

Robin Shafer announced there will be a run-off election for Justice Supreme Ct Place 3, with precincts consolidated at polling stations.

The Leon County Victim Services Office has helped 62 victims in the last quarter, according to Tonya Foster's Victim Services Report. She pointed out that sexual assault is on the rise in our county, and described a need for a trained counsellor to serve victims of those crimes. Foster recommended a solution: Diane Black of Robertson County would come two days a week, paid by Crime Victims Compensation, if Leon County will county provide an office. "I need help - we don't have anyone in the county that offers that," Foster concluded. The commissioners agreed to check into it.

Auditor Susan Pugh presented thirteen Line Item Transfers totalling $75,731.33. No budget amendments were brought before the court.

Pugh also reported on costs for an additional phone line for the Health Resource Center. The commissioners voted to table that item to be revisited at budget time. They did approve the lease of a new copy machine to be shared by the three district court offices and the district clerk, with the money to come out of the dis trict court budget.

Late in the meeting the commissioners briefly went into closed session then approved a motion to adjust the pay rates for two county employees (#531 and #411).

In other routine agenda items, the commissioners: - Approved the use of the gazebo and courthouse square for festivals in July and December. - Approved an ordinance to stay in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program. - Replaced ESD#2 Commissioner Tim Pozzie with Janey Shannon. - Rescinded an earlier motion to purchase specified generators with grant money, after learning some negative things about those generators' longevity. They will look into other products. - Approved a road use agreement for Precinct 1 (CR 204 and 207) with Jesse Countryman. - Approved a road use agreement for Precinct 2 (CR 213 and 282) with Hodge Services.