Problems with credit card uses surfaced at the Tuesday’s county Board of Commissioners meeting.
District 1 commissioner Rick Robbins brought up that there was a problem with the usage of credit cards.
It’s unclear whether he was talking about former county administrator Jim Dyer that set the credit card exchange off as later in the meeting, Tamara Kiessel wife of Leelanau County Undersheriff James Kiessel, gave a public comment regarding non-payment of a credit card reimbursement for “emergency” situation in which his private credit card was used. The credit card, issued under his Social Security Number, resulted in an unpaid bill, resulting in a ding to his personal credit score.
“(Jim Kiessel) has been issued a late fee and charged interest that affects his credit and financial standing that should not be at stake,” Tamara Kiessel said.
Multiple commissioners expressed embarrasment for the error.
This is in addition to a “clerical error” which reportedly left county dispatchers attending training in Wisconsin, embarrassed when told that no payment had been made for their training.
Lauren Cypher, interim administrator jumped into the conversation and said the finance department has spent several days reconciling Jim Dyer’s county credit card, which was placed on freeze last week.
Cypher said they are investigating four to five months of under, over and duplicate payments that spans since at least February.
There were no documents provided to substantiate these claims, and a Freedom of Information Act request has been submitted that has not been received as of press time.
Dyer was placed on paid administrative leave June 9 after recently-hired finance director Rio Risbridger levied claims against him under the Whistleblower Protection Act.
When approached for comment Dyer said he “does not know what they are talking about,” and denied any wrong doing.
Dyer was in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting.
Commissioners have met with Dyer privately to discuss the status of his contract. What came out of this meeting was an apparent settlement provided to him.
Tuesday night commissioners rejected a counter offer for proposed separation agreement and instead elects to continue negotiations for a separation agreement of some kind.
Cypher said the financial department would receive hand written amounts made through ACH (Automated Clearing House), or staff was reportedly directed to under pay, even without documentation. Again, no documentation was provided to substantiate these claims after asking Cypher. No credit card statements among others.
“We are reconciling four to five months (worth of statements) and to ensure statements are balanced,” she said.
Cypher said this has been happening and that county financial policies haven’t been followed since Cathy Hartesvelt left January.
Leelanau County Republican Chairman Jim White didn’t seem pleased by the ending motion to continue negotiations, but saw it as still encouraging sign, at the very least.
“We have some people here sitting behind me who are eagerly awaiting some announcement from this board. This wasn’t exactly what we were hoping for as a group, but it seems like you’re making progress. We’d like to encourage you on that path,” he said. “I would hope that you guys are doing what you can to make sure that this process doesn’t linger any longer than necessary because it is extremely excruciating ... I can’t imagine what it’s like for people who work here.”
During the first public comment, White revealed he possession of a July 14t letter regarding the concluding the report of Risbridger Whistleblower complaint.
He declined a request for this document.
