Saturday, October 23, 2004
The department has a new policy on credit cards.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Columbiana County Health Commissioner Robert Morehead doesn't think a special audit of the health department will turn up anything.
Morehead made the comment Friday, a few days after the board enacted its first policy on the use of credit cards.
The policy was adopted this week as Ohio Auditor Betty Montgomery released the department's 2003 audit. The audit recommended the department enact a credit card policy.
The stories were sparked by reports in The Vindicator about county travel and spending.
The audit had findings for recovery against Morehead for $5,834. Montgomery said the expenditures were for "illegitimate" purposes.
Morehead has repaid about $1,400 so far.
Montgomery also launched a special audit that will take a deeper look at the department's finances.
Morehead said he did not want to say much about the audit or the possibility of challenging the findings on the advice of counsel. He has retained Atty. James Hartford of East Palestine, and the board has retained Atty. Ron Alexander of Akron.
"I don't know what the board intends to do," Morehead said.
The attorneys and Jack Amato and Shawn Apple, the board president and vice president, could not be reached.
Audit's findings
Some of the findings against Morehead cover travel, hotels, and meals that were paid for with a county credit card. The audit said the costs were either unsupported or were not for official business. He has not made a payment on those findings.
The health board policy on credit cards states that all purchases must be supported by receipts. The policy also says the cards may not be used for personal use and that unauthorized use will result in dismissal and/or criminal prosecution.
The board's 1984 policy manual didn't mention credit cards.
Morehead said it's about the same as the county's policy, which was also adopted in 1984.
County Auditor Nancy Milliken said most county departments don't have credit cards. The sheriff's office has two credit cards that must be signed in and out. The sheriff's policy also spells out the rules for its use, including discipline for misuse, Milliken said.
The audit also recommended the health department come up with a cell-phone policy. The health department and the county's general policy don't mention cell phones.
Milliken and other county officials are updating the general county plan, which offices can alter to meet specific needs. Most departments don't have credit cards.
Montgomery's spokesman, Joe Case, said the special audit will look at reimbursements, travel and credit card use in previous years at the health department.
Those areas, along with cell phones, Case said, "are prone to abuse."
wilkinson@vindy.com