Washington County Quorum Court Questions 2013 Spending

FAYETTEVILLE -- Washington County's compliance with state law was delayed another month Thursday evening after the Quorum Court failed to approve 2013's spending.

About one-third of the panel's 15 justices of the peace voted against closing last year's books during the group's monthly meeting. They pointed to the final spending report, which shows several departments spent their money somewhat differently than told.

The county overall stayed within its $60 million budget. Last week Cheryl Bolinger, comptroller, told the Finance Committee several line items, or chunks of money with specific directions, went over budget.

Thursday's vote wouldn't have changed what was spent. It was instead meant to bring the budget in line with reality as state law requires.

That vote failed as several members repeated their frustration with the overspending, since the court exists to dictate those line items. Many also had lingering questions.

"It troubles me that we're being asked to vote something into ordinance before we fully understand it," said Eva Madison of District 9 in northeast Fayetteville. Conservatives Rex Bailey, Ron Aman and others echoed her concerns.

Candy Clark of District 12 in southeast Fayetteville, chairwoman of the Finance Committee, reminded her fellow justices of the peace her committee plans to tackle any confusion over the spending reports in its meeting April 8.

"We will have much more time, and we can focus on the symptoms that you're talking about," Clark said. "Passing this, I think we still have to do."

Aman, whose District 13 covers most of the county's west, led the effort to table the spending measure and failed. He, Bailey, Madison, Tom Lundstrum and Harvey Bowman then prevented the measure from getting the 10 votes it needed. It now goes to the next Quorum Court meeting April 17.

The county needs to approve 2013's spending before the state audits it. Bolinger said the audit will likely begin this summer.

NW News on 03/21/2014

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