TRANSPARENCY ? ?
I read with interest the article in AIM about the new era of transparency this administration had instituted, particularly regarding the details of credit card expenditures.
I was reminded of the many complaints that Councilwoman Wilson had with the prior administration, citing the incomplete explanations of certain credit card expenditures and the questionable nature of others.
Instead of progress I found that little had changed and the promoted transparency remains opaque.
In my opinion, any effort and money involved in creating this so-called transparency has been wasted.
The offered descriptions for items of the nature that Ms. Wilson’s complained about at every meeting during the previous administration have not improved.
I can only wonder why she has not continued her campaign for fuller descriptions.
I scanned the details for credit card expenditures listed for February, March and April on the county’s website. . The following comments are on just some items I noted.
First there were the description of expenses in connection with prospects:
Slightly North of Broad $500 ‘Meal for prospects visit ’
Calhoun Corners $135 ’Meal for prospects visit’
Grace’s Coffee Shop and Restaurant $76 ‘Lunch for prospects’
Marriott $48 ‘Breakfast with prospect’
To achieve transparency, I think these kind of expenditures require fuller explanation including when the event took place, who the prospects were, the names of people attending for the County, and who approved the expenditure.
If a prospect’s name is confidential, give each new prospect a number designation so expenses may be accumulated by prospect for subsequent review, but the number of people representing the prospect should be indicated.
Then there were those oddly described expenditures that raised the italicized questions in my mind
( I do not mean to imply that these expenditures were improper; I do, however, think there is a need for a fuller explanation-in the interest of transparency )
Sardi’s Den $80 ‘Dinner with clients’
Why would the County have ‘clients’ ?
Perx Car Wash $23 ‘Car wash for prospect site visit’
This seems to be an expensive washing ? Who approved this ?
Moonstone Lounge $234 ‘Appetizers for event’
The event requiring such appetizers needs to be identified. Who approved this ?
These two items appear to be related to the same conference:
High Mountain Taxi taxi from airport to resort $150
Vail Company Mountain Express shuttle from resort to airport $49
Why no shuttle to the resort ?
SC Association of CPAs CPA certification $225
Huh ?
Various small amounts described for ‘finance charge’ or ‘late payment charge’
Although the amounts are small, the vendor’s names are shown as Finance Charge and Late Payment Charge. That is peculiar, and I would think that a credit card client as large as Anderson County would not need to pay finance charges nor would be so cash short that they would pay late.
That resort reference drew my attention to conferences listed in the three months of credit card charges. With the new administration’s emphasis on a bare bones approach to County expenditures during this rough economic climate, it seemed to me that they need to get a handle on conference attendance by county employees and/or council members.
The following are the larger conference expenses I noted in my scan. These are most likely not the complete costs for any conference. I did not try to find other associated costs, such as travel and food .
NC/SC Utility Coordination Conference Litchfield Golf and Beach Resort-5 lodging deposits and payments $1635
International Conference of Shopping Centers Conference Dues and registration $260
Geographic Information Systems Conference Hampton Inn lodging $155
SC Aviation Conference Marriott Resort lodging 2@ $232 and 1@ $388
Risk Management Conference Sheraton Hotel Lodging $239
Conference ( no name shown ) Delta airline fare $394
Jail conference Hilton Hotels lodging $295
CALEA Conference Sheraton Raleigh Hotel lodging $522
Roads and Bridges Conference registration $325
Hurricane Conference Sheraton Hotel lodging $404
SC Economic Development Association Conference registration $350
Optic Fiber Conference Marriott lodging $1,430
Expansion’s Management Roundtable Conference Sonnenalp Resort lodging $1,745
National Plastics Expo Delta flight $447
I believe the administrator should account for all conferences and all overnight trips when considering the budget including information as to when, who will attend, who will approve submitted expense accounts, and other attendant expenses anticipated, such as registration fees, attendance, how many cars will be reimbursed for fuel, etc.
To hold down costs of those conference attendances deemed necessary, the county should consider a daily per diem for food and lodging and a mileage allowance for the use of personal cars.
Pappy, which administrator? Shoot, if all companies put their VIP's spending under this microscope the country might not be in trouble.
The following are the larger conference expenses I noted in my scan. These are most likely not the complete costs for any conference. I did not try to find other associated costs, such as travel and food .
NC/SC Utility Coordination Conference Litchfield Golf and Beach Resort-5 lodging deposits and payments $1635
International Conference of Shopping Centers Conference Dues and registration $260
Geographic Information Systems Conference Hampton Inn lodging $155
SC Aviation Conference Marriott Resort lodging 2@ $232 and 1@ $388
Risk Management Conference Sheraton Hotel Lodging $239
Conference ( no name shown ) Delta airline fare $394
Jail conference Hilton Hotels lodging $295
CALEA Conference Sheraton Raleigh Hotel lodging $522
Roads and Bridges Conference registration $325
Hurricane Conference Sheraton Hotel lodging $404
SC Economic Development Association Conference registration $350
Optic Fiber Conference Marriott lodging $1,430
Expansion’s Management Roundtable Conference Sonnenalp Resort lodging $1,745
National Plastics Expo Delta flight $447
-pappy
HOLY QRAP!! Can you not at least appreciate the effort being made. The very fact you are able to see these numbers at all to complain about them means a lot. For the past decade to have gotten even one of these pieces of information would have taken an act of Congress and $$$$$$ fees and approval by an attorney.
That being said I am curious as to who is going to all these conferences. In this day and age with instant communications and the internet providing practically endless information about anything, other than pressing the flesh (which I can possibly see with prospective clients) what are the purposes of these conferences? Really, think about what happens at a conference. A bunch of vendors get together and try to sell you something or this association or that wants you to buy a membership and give you an award for something. I know, I have been to many conferences as a vendor and all that went on was a bunch of people hanging out partying "talking business" (hanging out partying being the operative portion of that statement). For the most part the information gathering can be accomplished much cheaper via the internet. Back in the day when communications were expensive and getting out pictures and information about products not very timely etc., I could possibly see a gathering of an industry to make it easier with an "all under one roof" conference. The internet has done away with all of that. Anything you want to know about anything is right at your fingertips. Conferences just seem to be an excuse for someone to go somewhere on the county dime. Sure the people going are going to justify it, they want to go. They aren't going to say, "oh yeah this is a waste of money but we just go because it is a free vacation on the county". But in the big scheme of things, it looks like a waste of money for what we receive in return. Can I get a non-partisan response because I disagree with this kind of spending whether it be Preston or Burns or whoever is authorizing it or doing it.
These things are over with. You just need to forget the past and move forward!
Interesting comment rpm. Now that Cindy's not asking the questions, we don't need the answers. And Pappy, how dare you question the openess and accoountability of the HOGwashers. Honest open government is upon us. Let us bask in its sunshine. Don't worry I'm sure Rusty will get some kind of grant to solve the problems you found.
Hey, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Looks like someone is calling for an investigation into "past" expenditures. What is it, forget it and go forward or look back and see who, what, when, where, and why? For the record, I agree. We are paying the bills and we should know that the money was spent properly. This applies to the current council, past councils, and future councils!
HOLY QRAP!! Can you not at least appreciate the effort being made. The very fact you are able to see these numbers at all to complain about them means a lot. For the past decade to have gotten even one of these pieces of information would have taken an act of Congress and $$$$$$ fees and approval by an attorney. That being said I am curious as to who is going to all these conferences. In this day and age with instant communications and the internet providing practically endless information about anything, other than pressing the flesh (which I can possibly see with prospective clients) what are the purposes of these conferences? Really, think about what happens at a conference. A bunch of vendors get together and try to sell you something or this association or that wants you to buy a membership and give you an award for something. I know, I have been to many conferences as a vendor and all that went on was a bunch of people hanging out partying "talking business" (hanging out partying being the operative portion of that statement). For the most part the information gathering can be accomplished much cheaper via the internet. Back in the day when communications were expensive and getting out pictures and information about products not very timely etc., I could possibly see a gathering of an industry to make it easier with an "all under one roof" conference. The internet has done away with all of that. Anything you want to know about anything is right at your fingertips. Conferences just seem to be an excuse for someone to go somewhere on the county dime. Sure the people going are going to justify it, they want to go. They aren't going to say, "oh yeah this is a waste of money but we just go because it is a free vacation on the county". But in the big scheme of things, it looks like a waste of money for what we receive in return. Can I get a non-partisan response because I disagree with this kind of spending whether it be Preston or Burns or whoever is authorizing it or doing it.
-palmettopride
palmettopride,
Surprise ! I am in absolute agreement with your comments about conferences.
I can imagine conversations like this: "Sorry, we can't give you a raise this year, but how about a couple of conference trips ? There is one in Vegas and maybe we can get you aboard the one in Colorado. Oh, and on that trip to Vail, forget about waiting for the shuttle, take a cab to the resort."
As for your other comment, yes I could give these guys and gal a star for transparency after years of darkness, but the primary intent of my comment was to say that with all the transparency hoopla, there really has been no basic change.
Maybe this is a start. . .maybe.
FWIW: Maybe Cindy is not publicly asking questions because she can and has already gotten answers.
The fact Pappy can go on line and see thses expenditures seems a big improvement over the past.
Pappy; having your appetite whetted with the appetizers, you can now go to the county and ask for the supporting documents for these expenditures. You now know where the money went. I think it would really be tough and time consuming (expensive) to list every detail in the check register. But the check register does show the payee and causes folks to raise the question, and I think that's how it should be.
My guess is that if you want the info you can get something pretty easy and not have to have the request routed through a lot of red tape.
It would be interesting to know how a citizen would be treated if they went to the Finance office and asked to see the supporting documentation for such and such expenditure.
FWIW: Maybe Cindy is not publicly asking questions because she can and has already gotten answers.
The fact Pappy can go on line and see thses expenditures seems a big improvement over the past.
Pappy; having your appetite whetted with the appetizers, you can now go to the county and ask for the supporting documents for these expenditures. You now know where the money went. I think it would really be tough and time consuming (expensive) to list every detail in the check register. But the check register does show the payee and causes folks to raise the question, and I think that's how it should be.
My guess is that if you want the info you can get something pretty easy and not have to have the request routed through a lot of red tape.
It would be interesting to know how a citizen would be treated if they went to the Finance office and asked to see the supporting documentation for such and such expenditure.
-ed-evans
Yes, Ed, what has been done is a necessary step toward transparency. But it is difficult to accept that this should be promoted as transparency.
It may be the foundation, but the building is not yet ready for occupancy.
The article in AIM lauding this as transparency said that a citizen can file a FOIA request online. I can't get to that screen.
If you, Ed, or another blogger can help tell me how to get to it, I will file some requests. That is if it is free.
It's on the main county website. The drop-down menu under FIND
Here's the link
Should only take a couple of hours to knock out a credible set of receipts with this nifty service:
It's on the main county website. The drop-down menu under FIND
Here's the link
[url]
-rpmcmurphy
Thanks rpmcmurphy, I submitted a FOIA request about the payment of CPA certification with the following queries:
1. Who approved this expenditure ?
2. What was the name of the employee being certified ?
3. What job description requires a CPA to qualify ?
4. What is the County's policy re reimbursing employees for such licensing ?
Will advise when and what response I receive.
Thanks rpmcmurphy, I submitted a FOIA request about the payment of CPA certification with the following queries:1. Who approved this expenditure ?
2. What was the name of the employee being certified ?
3. What job description requires a CPA to qualify ?
4. What is the County's policy re reimbursing employees for such licensing ?
Will advise when and what response I receive.
-pappy
Before we receive an answer, is there a purpose to your questions or it is just a test of the system to see what you get back?
the purpose is that he wants to know. The whole way that has been handled stinks to high heaven.
Before we receive an answer, is there a purpose to your questions or it is just a test of the system to see what you get back?
-palmettopride
palmettopride,
Actually it is both. I am curious, as I would guess are many of bloggers, about the system and how well it works.
Plus, in both my experience auditing investor owned and public operations as well as running a financial department of a listed international firm, I have never encountered the subsidizing of a CPA license.
One of the greatest things about the FOIA is that the person requesting information has no obligation to explain why he or she wants that information. If it's public information under the FOIA, it has to be provided. What is done with that information after that is not addressed by the law in any way, shape or form.
One of the greatest things about the FOIA is that the person requesting information has no obligation to explain why he or she wants that information. If it's public information under the FOIA, it has to be provided. What is done with that information after that is not addressed by the law in any way, shape or form.
-jdtippett
Since this was not a moderation action on your part, I guess we are allowed to comment on it. If someone poses a question to another poster, why don't you let that person speak for themselves. We don't need an interpreter or someone to read between the lines or parse and dissect for us. If you want to address a question to the poster then knock yourself out, but kindly stop trying to be in every conversation. It's very rude. No one said he had to explain or said anything if he didn't want to explain. I merely asked simple question of this individual. For you to jump out there and explain to us what people do or don't have to do is a bit much. We don't need your guidance to have conversations. Thank you very much.
Palmettopride, that was a comment by an ATZ member, not a moderator. I reserve the right to comment on any topic I choose to comment on as a member of this forum - the same right every other member has - and if you don't like it, it is YOUR problem, not mine.
As of right now, we've had a total of 29 posts, including this one and yours, in the past 24 hours. It's not like I'm drowing anybody out or shouting anybody down.
palmettopride,Actually it is both. I am curious, as I would guess are many of bloggers, about the system and how well it works.
Plus, in both my experience auditing investor owned and public operations as well as running a financial department of a listed international firm, I have never encountered the subsidizing of a CPA license.
-pappy
did you forget this?
Freddie said:
Dr. Juan Brown, Chairman of the Economic Development Advisory Board wrote a letter to Michael Thompson letting him know that Bill McAbee's 2 appointments to the Economic Development Advisory Board violated Anderson County Ordinance Section 2-492 which states that each council member will appoint two members from from his or her respective district. Dr. Brown stated Bill McAbee's appointments, Amy Plummer and Mike McIntosh, did not live in Bill McAbee's district. Dr. Brown stated that Bill McAbee's appointments do not have the legal right to be members of the of the Anderson County Economic Development Advisory Board. Dr. Brown stated that Bill McAbee's appointees, Plummer and McIntosh, will not be seated on the Board. The letter is dated May 22, 2008.
So my question is this, if Plummer be cannot seated on the board, then why has our tax dollars been spent on getting her "certified"? Why have we, as tax payers, paid to send her on trips to Chicago, New York, New Orleans, Atlanta, Charleston, etc.?
I think we should demand that McAbee and Plummer refund us the money they have been spending on "economic development". If this is true, and I assume it is, there have been some major ethics violations by these two.
This is our county and our tax dollars. We should be outraged by this. Am I the only one that thinks this stinks?
Perhaps you would expand your FIOA to determine if it is true that Preston paid for a former councilman to get his real estate license as well?
did you forget this?
-1-1-opinion
1-opinion,
To directly answer your question. No, I didn't forget it because I was never aware of it.
However, the FOIA is for all citizens.
Since you brought the above item up, I fully support your action in submitting your own request on it.
Somehow I think your comment is all talk and no action.
