Chet Pardee and other residents questioned city spending during a public hearing on the 2016-2017 budget, June 13.
“It appears the city has spent more than $30,000 in the current budget year ending June 30 for professional and contractual services relating to the DPW building expansion proposal, I believe without city council approval,” Pardee said at the Clarkston City Council meeting.
Resident Lorry Mahler said city council approved $23,000 for architectural services. They added up invoices and also found $59,610.19 for the bridge not specifically approved by the council for HRC Engineering, Carlisle-Wortman Associates, soil testing, attorney, and other services.
“How does someone spend that kind of money when only $23,000 has been approved – that’s a lot of money not approved prior to getting the bills,” Mahler asked. “Is there anyone watching?”
Mayor Pro Tem Eric Haven said the issues may be technicalities.
“We’re subject to audit every year,” he said.
City attorney Tom Ryan said the expenses were approved prospectively, not retroactively, pursuant to the law
“Bills are not paid until council approves them by consent agenda at public meetings,” Ryan said. “Nothing is paid that’s not approved by council.”
Council member Mike Sabol said engineering, attorney, planning, and other expenses are line items in the budget.
“They all have budgets, all allowable in line items,” Sabol said. “There was no line item for architectural service, so we had to do it separately.”
“You asked if someone is watching. Yes, they are,” Haven said.
Treasurer Caitlin Bentoski said she was still working on amendments to the budget. Deadline is the end of the month. A vote by city council to approve it will be on the June 27 meeting agenda.
Pardee shares more in his Letter to the Editor and letter council members on Page 6.
– Phil Custodio

  clarkston, Spending