CONCERNED ABOUT YEARS OF ALLEGED FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT. THE CITY OF SPENCER IS THE LATEST TOWN IN THE SIGHTS OF STATE AUDITOR CINDY BIRD. RESIDENTS OF SPENCER PETITIONED TO HAVE THE STATE LOOK INTO THE CITY’S FINANCES OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, AND WHAT THE STATE FOUND CONCERNED THEM. LITTLE STRESSED OUT BECAUSE IT ADDED A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS TO QUESTIONS LIKE WHO IS PAYING THE BILLS? AND DID THIS GO UNNOTICED? THIS WAS THE AUDIT RELEASED THURSDAY WITH A NUMBER OF FINDINGS. FOR ONE, THE CITY UTILITIES WERE LEFT UNPAID, OFTEN BY MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL. SOME CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ALLEGEDLY WENT YEARS WITHOUT PAYING A BILL AND WERE NEVER CUT OFF. ADDS A QUESTION TO EVERYBODY, AND THE CITY ALSO ALLEGEDLY MISSPENT MORE THAN $500,000 IN BOND MONEY AND SHIFTED SALES TAX ILLEGALLY WITHOUT VOTER APPROVAL. THE AUDIT ALSO GOES ON TO SAY SPENCER OWES THE IRS MORE THAN $800,000 IN UNPAID PAYROLL TAXES. STATE AUDITOR CINDY BIRD SAID IN A STATEMENT THE CITY COUNCIL IS RESPONSIBLE AND THE RESIDENTS DESERVE BETTER. NOW THE FINDINGS HAVE BEEN TURNED OVER TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE. WHEN WE REACHED OUT TO THE CITY OF SPENCER, THE MAYOR SAID THEY DON’T HAVE A COMMENT FOR US AT THIS TIME.
Spencer residents react to state audit revealing financial mismanagement
Spencer residents express concern over a state audit that revealed alleged financial mismanagement by the City Council, including unpaid bills and misused funds.
Spencer residents are concerned after a state audit revealed alleged financial mismanagement by the City Council over the past five years. >> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channelThe audit, released Thursday, was conducted following a petition by Spencer residents who requested the state to investigate the city’s finances.”Little stressed out ’cause it added a bunch of questions,” said Andrew Lawrence, a Spencer resident.Residents are questioning who is responsible for paying the bills and how the issues went unnoticed.The audit uncovered several troubling findings, including unpaid city utility bills even by City Council members, some of whom allegedly went years without paying and were never cut off. “It adds a question to everybody,” Lawrence said.Additionally, the audit revealed that Spencer allegedly misspent more than $500,000 in bond money and illegally shifted sales taxes without voter approval. The city also reportedly owes the IRS more than $800,000 in unpaid payroll taxes.State Auditor Cindy Byrd issued a statement holding the City Council accountable, saying, “Ultimately, all responsibility for these problems falls on the members of the Spencer City Council. Whether the money comes from taxes, utilities, or court costs, council members bear ultimate responsibility for managing city revenue. The residents of Spencer deserve better.”Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.The findings of the audit have been forwarded to the district attorney’s office. When contacted, the mayor of Spencer stated that the city has no comment at this time.Top HeadlinesOklahoma inmate Tremane Wood found unresponsive after clemencyStarbucks workers kick off 65-store US strike on company’s busy Red Cup DayTwo hospitalized after separate shootings overnight in northwest Oklahoma CityEpstein emails reveal enduring ties with influential figures even after his sex crime conviction34 hospitalized, several in critical condition after ammonia leak prompts evacuations in Weatherford
Spencer residents are concerned after a state audit revealed alleged financial mismanagement by the City Council over the past five years.
>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel
The audit, released Thursday, was conducted following a petition by Spencer residents who requested the state to investigate the city’s finances.
“Little stressed out ’cause it added a bunch of questions,” said Andrew Lawrence, a Spencer resident.
Residents are questioning who is responsible for paying the bills and how the issues went unnoticed.
The audit uncovered several troubling findings, including unpaid city utility bills even by City Council members, some of whom allegedly went years without paying and were never cut off.
“It adds a question to everybody,” Lawrence said.
Additionally, the audit revealed that Spencer allegedly misspent more than $500,000 in bond money and illegally shifted sales taxes without voter approval.
The city also reportedly owes the IRS more than $800,000 in unpaid payroll taxes.
State Auditor Cindy Byrd issued a statement holding the City Council accountable, saying, “Ultimately, all responsibility for these problems falls on the members of the Spencer City Council. Whether the money comes from taxes, utilities, or court costs, council members bear ultimate responsibility for managing city revenue. The residents of Spencer deserve better.”
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
The findings of the audit have been forwarded to the district attorney’s office.
When contacted, the mayor of Spencer stated that the city has no comment at this time.
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