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In response to alleged misspending in the Department of Social Services, Mecklenburg County Manager Harry Jones has ordered a review of financial safeguards at all county departments and agencies.
Jones e-mailed county commissioners a memo Wednesday that says “the findings in DSS have generated questions about financial management practices throughout our organization.”
The memo shows that officials are concerned that accounting lapses or weak financial controls could extend beyond DSS.
Officials say they cannot account for tens of thousands of dollars for a DSS program meant to help needy families. That amount includes a $10,000 check to a county employee.
“These and other questions and concerns about our financial management have risen to the top of my priorities as county manager,” Jones wrote.
He sent the memo to top department managers last month. On Wednesday, county Finance Director Dena Diorio said 14 county departments as well as the Sheriff's office, Board of Elections, libraries and Register of Deeds office would assess their fiscal controls.
The review is part of a broader plan to bolster oversight for the $1 billion-plus the county spends each year. Already, the county has made several moves, which include putting DSS finance operations under direct county control.
The DSS findings raise questions about all of county government's financial oversight, Jones wrote in the memo.
It reads: “The most significant question is whether we have appropriate fiscal controls in place in other County departments and agencies, and whether we are adhering to these controls through supervision and approval processes.''
Commissioner Bill James is critical of the county's financial structure. Currently, most agencies maintain their own independent finance departments.
James said county leaders have no way to know whether agencies are using proper accounting procedures or hiring employees with finance backgrounds because they do not report directly to Diorio, the county finance director.
Jones has said even before the DSS problems surfaced administrators were considering changes to the county's finance operations. Officials have formed a committee that will study the issue and make recommendations to Jones and his top lieutenants.
Fred Clasen-Kelly: 704 358-5027
