More than $200,000 was spent to conduct a financial review on 7-credit cards used during the time under former TDC Executive Director Sonny Mares.
Some Walton County TDC members and bed tax collectors' are coming under fire and questioning a recent agency expenditure.
More than $200,000 was spent to conduct a financial review on 7-credit cards used during the time under former TDC Executive Director Sonny Mares.
An out-of-state CPA firm charged the TDC up to $16,000 dollars per meeting with multiple meetings taking place over the course of the financial review.
Some members saw the spending as irresponsible.
"To spend this much money on a two or three page review on seven credit cards is just absurd. More than $200,000 and as bad as we need money to advertise after the oil spill" says TDC council member Suzanne Harris.
"If the board believes that this expenditure was in fact excessive, inappropriate, or somewhat questionable--they can make note that this expenditure is something they want to flag so to speak for the BCC to review and look at" says TDC attorney Clay Adkinson.
Walton County Finance Director Bill Imfeld signed the negotiation and letter of engagement initiating the financial review.
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Walton Co. TDC members Questioning Recent Expenditure
Replies
46idlewindidlewindBeach FanaticWalton/Okaloosa County and a little south alabama 2,687 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Idlewind, it would appear that all waste money but you vote for those who are running. I did not see anyone at the local level running that was better than who I voted for.
The TDC board and director, as you are aware, serve at the pleasure of the BCC. I would imagine the Chamber of Commerce has a lot to say about it, too. Personally, I think it is a waste of taxpayer money even if it is necessary in order to receive state funding for tourism. You and I agree on the wasting of money. Where we disagree, if at all, is what is wasteful and what is not.
I am just sick of all the RINOS we have in state and local government who claim to be conservative around election time to get elected and then spend their time in office spending money and figuring new ways to regulate and tax us. Oddly enough the only local politicians who come to mind who do not fit that description are the non-partisan school board members. And I know one of them is a democrat and he may be the most fiscally sound local politician. Go figure!
Bob HudsonBob HudsonBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach1,066 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Bob HudsonBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach1,066 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticWhy the Change? Why in Enterprise, Alabama ?
Where is a copy of the ?Draft Report? ?
Engagement Letter for TDC review ?Before? and ?After? a review of the draft report by Scott Brannon and George Ralph Miller on 9/30/2010 in Enterprise Alabama with CRI.
Before
SCHEDULE OF AGREED-UPON PORCEDURES TO BE APPLIED TO EXPENDITURES CHARGED TO TDC CREDIT CARD FROM APRIL 1, 2007 TO MARCH 31,2010
The following TDC cardholders' credit card activity was selected for the procedures noted below: Charles (Sonny) Mares Executive Director, Kriss Titus Executive Director, Tracy Louthain, Pamela Watkins, Loretta Schaffer, Vicki Kitahara, Amy Harrison and the general administrative card.
Based on conversations with management it was determined the following procedures would be performed:
1. Carr, Riggs and Ingram (CRI) will summarize all transactions charged and credited to the above noted credit cards from April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2010. The summary will include the date, amount and purpose of the expenditure if noted or discernable from source documents provided.
2. CRI will review each transaction to determine if the transaction was adequately documented and, when applicable, complied with the TDC's Expense and Travel Policy, Section 125.0104 Florida Statutes and related Florida Statutes and or Florida Attorney General Opinions.
3. Review undocumented activity with management and request invoice documentation from vendors as deemed warranted by management to achieve the purpose of the engagement.
4. CRI will prepare a report documenting the results of the procedures performed and other relevant disclosures CRI feels should be brought to the attention of management.
After
The additional or restated procedures are as follows:
Based on documentation maintained by the Clerk of Court Walton County, Florida, the following procedures would be performed:
1. Carr, Riggs and Ingram (CRI) will summarize Florida Statute 125.0104 and the various County ordinances that established and govern the Walton County Tourist Development Council (TDC).
2. CRI will obtain credit card statements from April 1, 2007 through March 31 , 2010 for all TDC credit card holders, with the exception of David Sell and Tiffany McCaskill .
3. CRI will review documentation provided by the Clerk of Court for each transaction to determine if the transaction appears to be adequately documented and complied with the TDC's Expense and Travel Policy, with the exception of determining whether the expenditure is reasonable and necessary which is at the sole discretion of the TDC per its general guidelines, County policies and Section 125.0104 Florida Statutes.
4. CRI will prepare a report summarizing the findings of the above-noted procedures and determine whether the transactions meet TDC policies, County policies, or Section 125.0104 Florida Statutes.
Excerpts from Billing invoice detailing draft review, participants, location and cost.
Date Employee CST SubCat Service Memo Hrs. Billed
8/31/2010 Galloway OTSVC AGRPR 37400 Review TDC Credit Card Report 29.50 8,280.00
9/30/2010 Galloway OTSVC AGRPR 37400 Meetings with County attorney GRM and BCC Chmn Scott Brannon in Enterprise Office of CRI ? discussed Draft of AGRPR report 5.00 1.400.00
Where is a copy of the ?Draft Report? ?
Engagement Letter for TDC review ?Before? and ?After? a review of the draft report by Scott Brannon and George Ralph Miller on 9/30/2010 in Enterprise Alabama with CRI.
Before
SCHEDULE OF AGREED-UPON PORCEDURES TO BE APPLIED TO EXPENDITURES CHARGED TO TDC CREDIT CARD FROM APRIL 1, 2007 TO MARCH 31,2010
The following TDC cardholders' credit card activity was selected for the procedures noted below: Charles (Sonny) Mares Executive Director, Kriss Titus Executive Director, Tracy Louthain, Pamela Watkins, Loretta Schaffer, Vicki Kitahara, Amy Harrison and the general administrative card.
Based on conversations with management it was determined the following procedures would be performed:
1. Carr, Riggs and Ingram (CRI) will summarize all transactions charged and credited to the above noted credit cards from April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2010. The summary will include the date, amount and purpose of the expenditure if noted or discernable from source documents provided.
2. CRI will review each transaction to determine if the transaction was adequately documented and, when applicable, complied with the TDC's Expense and Travel Policy, Section 125.0104 Florida Statutes and related Florida Statutes and or Florida Attorney General Opinions.
3. Review undocumented activity with management and request invoice documentation from vendors as deemed warranted by management to achieve the purpose of the engagement.
4. CRI will prepare a report documenting the results of the procedures performed and other relevant disclosures CRI feels should be brought to the attention of management.
After
The additional or restated procedures are as follows:
Based on documentation maintained by the Clerk of Court Walton County, Florida, the following procedures would be performed:
1. Carr, Riggs and Ingram (CRI) will summarize Florida Statute 125.0104 and the various County ordinances that established and govern the Walton County Tourist Development Council (TDC).
2. CRI will obtain credit card statements from April 1, 2007 through March 31 , 2010 for all TDC credit card holders, with the exception of David Sell and Tiffany McCaskill .
3. CRI will review documentation provided by the Clerk of Court for each transaction to determine if the transaction appears to be adequately documented and complied with the TDC's Expense and Travel Policy, with the exception of determining whether the expenditure is reasonable and necessary which is at the sole discretion of the TDC per its general guidelines, County policies and Section 125.0104 Florida Statutes.
4. CRI will prepare a report summarizing the findings of the above-noted procedures and determine whether the transactions meet TDC policies, County policies, or Section 125.0104 Florida Statutes.
Excerpts from Billing invoice detailing draft review, participants, location and cost.
Date Employee CST SubCat Service Memo Hrs. Billed
8/31/2010 Galloway OTSVC AGRPR 37400 Review TDC Credit Card Report 29.50 8,280.00
9/30/2010 Galloway OTSVC AGRPR 37400 Meetings with County attorney GRM and BCC Chmn Scott Brannon in Enterprise Office of CRI ? discussed Draft of AGRPR report 5.00 1.400.00
Andy AAndy ABeach FanaticBlue Mountain Beach4,389 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Andy ABeach FanaticBlue Mountain Beach4,389 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticWhere is the report or isn't this public knowlege?
incredible1incredible1Beach Lover233 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
incredible1Beach Lover233 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach LoverThere does not appear to be any public disclosure on the income from bed tax versus the expenditure of the TDC
There are "sales pitches" on attempts to justify dollars spent
http://partners.beachesofsouthwalton.com/content/download/6584/90679/AnnualReport20092010.pdf
http://partners.beachesofsouthwalto...trategic+Plan+Draft+Final+DM+updated+3.17.pdf
Experiment: Dont spend a dime on out of town advertising for the area and see how many people still visit/return.
Experiment; Use local vendors to supply TDC with print, web and other services instead of OUT OF STATE whenever there is just as skilled businesses here.
Experiment; see how much more visitors spend whenever they dont have the added bed tax to pay
There are "sales pitches" on attempts to justify dollars spent
http://partners.beachesofsouthwalton.com/content/download/6584/90679/AnnualReport20092010.pdf
http://partners.beachesofsouthwalto...trategic+Plan+Draft+Final+DM+updated+3.17.pdf
Experiment: Dont spend a dime on out of town advertising for the area and see how many people still visit/return.
Experiment; Use local vendors to supply TDC with print, web and other services instead of OUT OF STATE whenever there is just as skilled businesses here.
Experiment; see how much more visitors spend whenever they dont have the added bed tax to pay
Edited
Bob HudsonBob HudsonBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach1,066 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Bob HudsonBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach1,066 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticPublic records requests have been filed trying to gain access to the draft report. No response yet
idlewindidlewindBeach FanaticWalton/Okaloosa County and a little south alabama 2,687 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Public records requests have been filed trying to gain access to the draft report. No response yet
Lotsa luck.:lol:
Ask for the e-mail traffic between the parties too, that should be good for another lawsuit at least.:roll:
Another good question is why David Sell and Tiffany McCaskill get a pass?
Matt JMatt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined View profileMessageSWGB
Matt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined View profileMessageSWGBLotsa luck.:lol:
Ask for the e-mail traffic between the parties too, that should be good for another lawsuit at least.:roll:
Another good question is why David Sell and Tiffany McCaskill get a pass?
Did they have cards issued to them and did they ever use them?
I'd like to see Ms. Moliterno publicly offer up her TDC and Chamber credit card statements. Guess I'll probably turn blue and pass out first.
Morning GloryMorning GloryBeach Comber33 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
$200,000 spent
And why did a commissioner and the attorney have any input in the draft review? Being the Chair does not give him/her any power greater than any of the other BBC. Brannon was the commissioner who went to Enterprise and was the commissioner who wanted to get rid of Mares and hire Moleterno. Wise up and stop waiting on the public record, demand it! How long can it take to pull a file with three pages. If the WCTPA is going to be effective, you have to stop taking their responses to your questions as the truth after all they are politians. I am willing to bet that some of the older long term employees that "retired" (they were paid to go away quitely) early could uncover more skeletons than you could handle.
Why the Change? Why in Enterprise, Alabama ?
Where is a copy of the ?Draft Report? ?
Engagement Letter for TDC review ?Before? and ?After? a review of the draft report by Scott Brannon and George Ralph Miller on 9/30/2010 in Enterprise Alabama with CRI.
Before
SCHEDULE OF AGREED-UPON PORCEDURES TO BE APPLIED TO EXPENDITURES CHARGED TO TDC CREDIT CARD FROM APRIL 1, 2007 TO MARCH 31,2010
The following TDC cardholders' credit card activity was selected for the procedures noted below: Charles (Sonny) Mares Executive Director, Kriss Titus Executive Director, Tracy Louthain, Pamela Watkins, Loretta Schaffer, Vicki Kitahara, Amy Harrison and the general administrative card.
Based on conversations with management it was determined the following procedures would be performed:
1. Carr, Riggs and Ingram (CRI) will summarize all transactions charged and credited to the above noted credit cards from April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2010. The summary will include the date, amount and purpose of the expenditure if noted or discernable from source documents provided.
2. CRI will review each transaction to determine if the transaction was adequately documented and, when applicable, complied with the TDC's Expense and Travel Policy, Section 125.0104 Florida Statutes and related Florida Statutes and or Florida Attorney General Opinions.
3. Review undocumented activity with management and request invoice documentation from vendors as deemed warranted by management to achieve the purpose of the engagement.
4. CRI will prepare a report documenting the results of the procedures performed and other relevant disclosures CRI feels should be brought to the attention of management.
After
The additional or restated procedures are as follows:
Based on documentation maintained by the Clerk of Court Walton County, Florida, the following procedures would be performed:
1. Carr, Riggs and Ingram (CRI) will summarize Florida Statute 125.0104 and the various County ordinances that established and govern the Walton County Tourist Development Council (TDC).
2. CRI will obtain credit card statements from April 1, 2007 through March 31 , 2010 for all TDC credit card holders, with the exception of David Sell and Tiffany McCaskill .
3. CRI will review documentation provided by the Clerk of Court for each transaction to determine if the transaction appears to be adequately documented and complied with the TDC's Expense and Travel Policy, with the exception of determining whether the expenditure is reasonable and necessary which is at the sole discretion of the TDC per its general guidelines, County policies and Section 125.0104 Florida Statutes.
4. CRI will prepare a report summarizing the findings of the above-noted procedures and determine whether the transactions meet TDC policies, County policies, or Section 125.0104 Florida Statutes.
Excerpts from Billing invoice detailing draft review, participants, location and cost.
Date Employee CST SubCat Service Memo Hrs. Billed
8/31/2010 Galloway OTSVC AGRPR 37400 Review TDC Credit Card Report 29.50 8,280.00
9/30/2010 Galloway OTSVC AGRPR 37400 Meetings with County attorney GRM and BCC Chmn Scott Brannon in Enterprise Office of CRI ? discussed Draft of AGRPR report 5.00 1.400.00
And why did a commissioner and the attorney have any input in the draft review? Being the Chair does not give him/her any power greater than any of the other BBC. Brannon was the commissioner who went to Enterprise and was the commissioner who wanted to get rid of Mares and hire Moleterno. Wise up and stop waiting on the public record, demand it! How long can it take to pull a file with three pages. If the WCTPA is going to be effective, you have to stop taking their responses to your questions as the truth after all they are politians. I am willing to bet that some of the older long term employees that "retired" (they were paid to go away quitely) early could uncover more skeletons than you could handle.
Matt JMatt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined View profileMessageSWGB
Matt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined View profileMessageSWGBAnd why did a commissioner and the attorney have any input in the draft review? Being the Chair does not give him/her any power greater than any of the other BBC. Brannon was the commissioner who went to Enterprise and was the commissioner who wanted to get rid of Mares and hire Moleterno. Wise up and stop waiting on the public record, demand it! How long can it take to pull a file with three pages. If the WCTPA is going to be effective, you have to stop taking their responses to your questions as the truth after all they are politians. I am willing to bet that some of the older long term employees that "retired" (they were paid to go away quitely) early could uncover more skeletons than you could handle.
Honey have a beer smoke a cigarette. This isn't life or death.
Bob HudsonBob HudsonBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach1,066 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Bob HudsonBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach1,066 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticDear Anonymous "Morning Glory"
Don't know who the WCTPA is but the WCTA is very adept at what it does in holding public officials accountable and insisting on transparency in government. They have been in Walton County serving as the eyes and ears for Walton County Taxpayers for over 28 years.
I have had the three page report for months. The county responded to the "draft report" request this afternoon at 4:02. (It was not filled until Saturday afternoon at 3:42.) The turn time is pretty good and I did not demand it I simply made a request following the public records law in Florida. Discovering its existence as a public document took alot of time and effort - asking questions of the right people and following the bread crumbs that are always left in matters like this.
The "draft report" is considerably longer than three pages based on the estimated duplication cost.
A "Draft Report" is customarily shared in advance of the final report to allow for responses by management to recommendations within the management letter, but in this case this was not an "Audit" but a review based on an agreed upon scope of work.
The interesting part in this is not the actual report but what appeared in the report that caused a restatement of the scope of service.
If you like I will post the three page report for your consumption.
Don't know who the WCTPA is but the WCTA is very adept at what it does in holding public officials accountable and insisting on transparency in government. They have been in Walton County serving as the eyes and ears for Walton County Taxpayers for over 28 years.
I have had the three page report for months. The county responded to the "draft report" request this afternoon at 4:02. (It was not filled until Saturday afternoon at 3:42.) The turn time is pretty good and I did not demand it I simply made a request following the public records law in Florida. Discovering its existence as a public document took alot of time and effort - asking questions of the right people and following the bread crumbs that are always left in matters like this.
The "draft report" is considerably longer than three pages based on the estimated duplication cost.
A "Draft Report" is customarily shared in advance of the final report to allow for responses by management to recommendations within the management letter, but in this case this was not an "Audit" but a review based on an agreed upon scope of work.
The interesting part in this is not the actual report but what appeared in the report that caused a restatement of the scope of service.
If you like I will post the three page report for your consumption.
Edited
Bob HudsonBob HudsonBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach1,066 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Bob HudsonBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach1,066 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticLotsa luck.:lol:
Ask for the e-mail traffic between the parties too, that should be good for another lawsuit at least.:roll:
Another good question is why David Sell and Tiffany McCaskill get a pass?
I did make that request.
idlewindidlewindBeach FanaticWalton/Okaloosa County and a little south alabama 2,687 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
I did make that request.
Any ideas as to why those two individuals got a pass? Maybe innocent but on its face it sure smells.
I would appreciate posting the report, it will make interesting reading. And I for one appreciate all that you and others in the WCTA do to monitor local government.:clap:
Bob HudsonBob HudsonBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach1,066 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Bob HudsonBeach FanaticSanta Rosa Beach1,066 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAny ideas as to why those two individuals got a pass? Maybe innocent but on its face it sure smells.
I would appreciate posting the report, it will make interesting reading. And I for one appreciate all that you and others in the WCTA do to monitor local government.:clap:
TDC Credit Card Review View attachment 19208
Edited
Matt JMatt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined View profileMessageSWGB
Matt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined View profileMessageSWGBSo if I'm reading that correctly the county spent more than what was spent inappropriately or undocumented to determine that it was inappropriate or undocumented?
P.S. Despite that the figures to me would constitute Grand Larceny and Conspiracy.
P.S. Despite that the figures to me would constitute Grand Larceny and Conspiracy.
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