Comptroller’s report finds 16 issues in McNairy County

McNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn. — A 197-page report reveals more than a dozen issues of money management in McNairy County government — issues ranging from purchasing procedures to cash overdrafts and poor accounting.

McNairy County Mayor Ronnie Brooks says it looks worse than it is and that most problems can be blamed on a breakdown in procedures and slow payments from grants.

“We do have grant programs that we’re involved in that the county actually will have to pay its debt, and then we have to wait for those funds to be refunded,” Mayor Brooks said. “Then we basically will amend the budget to accommodate for that shortfall.”

Of the 16 issues found, the state said half were cited last year.

“Most counties have between six or seven findings in a fiscal year, so when you see 16 findings, that’s a pretty big concern,” spokesperson for the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury John Dunn said Friday via a Skype interview. “And when eight of them are repeat findings, that’s even more of a concern that things have gone uncorrected.”

State officials said these issues hurt the county.

“You really want good financial information to make good decisions,” Dunn continued. “For the county commissions to know how much money they have and how much money they’ve spent and when you have to make some adjustments like that, it really hampers the ability to make good financial decisions.”

The State Comptroller’s Office said the 16 issues are the most of any audit that they’ve released this year.

County officials said they want to assure tax payers there’s no misuse of funds and they’re correcting any of the problems.

“I want to assure the people who review that audit there are no improprieties as far as funding goes — no misuse of funds, and know that all these funds are accountable,” Mayor Brooks said.

The Comptroller’s Office said it has made recommendations on how to fix each of the 16 issues.

To view the entire report, click here.