Lincoln County commissioners during a special joint meeting with the 911 Trust Authority Tuesday voted to provide $41,657 in payroll assistance to the E-911.
Their action came after more than an hour of discussion concerning the 911 Trust Authority’s financial situation that includes unpaid back taxes and late fees.
During their upcoming regular meeting Monday, Oct. 2, the commissioners are expected to adopt a resolution concerning their action this week.
District 3 Commissioners Lee Doolen, who is also chairman of the commissioners, said the State Auditor and Inspector is in the middle of a special investigative audit as requested by Lincoln and Pottawatomie County District Attorney Adam Panter.
Doolen said following the meeting that he has no timeline on the audit.
He confirmed that when the audit was requested by the DA, the executive director of the 911 Authority resigned her position. An interim director has been appointed.
Doolen pointed to the lack of oversight that has taken place by the 911 Authority. But he explained, “Because of the way the ballot language was written when the 911 was set up, the commissioners have no authority over the 911 Trust Authority.
“We have no oversight,” he added. Commissioners also voted to appoint Melanie McFee as temporary benefits coordinator for E-911 employees. A little later in the meeting, The Trust Authority also voted to appoint McFee as tempo rary coordinator of the 911 Board.
McFee is the county’s Human Resources director and payroll clerk, Doolen said.
Doolen explained the 911 Authority has nine employees and that includes dispatchers and a director.
Emergency Management Director Cody McDonell who is on the 911 Board by position, advised commissioners “We are waiting to hear back from the IRS this week.”
McDonell stated there currently is a posting for an executive director.
The 911 Trust Authority owes between $78,000 and $80,000 in federal taxes, Doolen noted. “They owe a total of $160,312 and that includes everything that is outstanding, back taxes, retirement, other expenses,” he said.
“Their bank account balance is $21,000,” he stated. McDonell related to them that total projected income for this year is $649,501. Next year’s projected income is $758,000.
The commissioners held up taking any possible action to allow E-911 funds to be received by Lincoln County and apportioned to a newly created account for E-911 expenses.
They also held off taking any action to amend the county budget to include E-911 approved expenditures.
Doolen said regarding both of those, “We’re not ready yet.
“There has to be checks and balances.” District 2 Commissioner Marlin Miller commented, “We’ve got to take care of it, get back to zero and go from there.”
Commissioners emphasized to the 911 Authority during Tuesday’s meeting, “You guys are going to have to come up with a plan and come back with it and an agreement.”