Amador County – Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe made a brief statement Wednesday saying that financial management issues are being addressed after recent allegation by the former city finance director, but primarily to say that a Sutter Creek Police officer had done nothing wrong. Rabe released a statement Wednesday regarding “allegations made by ex-Finance Director Jeff Gardner concerning alleged financial mismanagement” in Sutter Creek, by the city council and managers. Rabe said he wanted to immediately address allegations of improper payment to Officer Kevin Harris, whom he said “has done nothing wrong and is a valuable and well-respected member of the Sutter Creek Police Department.” Rabe said it was “very unfortunate” that Harris “has been included in Mr. Gardner’s agenda.” He said Harris had an injury that prevented him form working on full duty. The council has hired an independent party to look at the issue to see if there were improprieties. Rabe said Sutter Creek City Council and staff were “made aware of various claims by Gardner several months ago, and the city responded immediately.” He said the “council and staff have always taken their financial management responsibilities very seriously.” The council and managers “have been working for several months to address various financial operational issues, including but not limited to Gardner’s concerns.” He said the city must complete “its ongoing financial management action plan.” Among the accusations, Gardner said the city improperly held “finance committee meetings” by calling them “budget” or “personnel” to avoid the Brown Act. Rabe said Tuesday that Mayor Pro Tempore Tim Murphy and Councilwoman Linda Rianda are members of both the finance committee and an ad hoc budget committee. He said an ad hoc committee does not need to be noticed, and is not open to the public. He said it mostly handles closed session personnel matters. The Finance Committee has not met for a couple of months. Gardner alleged the city made improper expenditures on developments, including Gold Rush. Rabe said there are certain areas in which the city must pay costs, while in others, the city and developer share costs. He said a good example was the wastewater master plan. The city council contracted with Gardner in 2004, and the contract ended May 3rd. Gardner was city auditor prior to that. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -
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Amador County – Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe made a brief statement Wednesday saying that financial management issues are being addressed after recent allegation by the former city finance director, but primarily to say that a Sutter Creek Police officer had done nothing wrong. Rabe released a statement Wednesday regarding “allegations made by ex-Finance Director Jeff Gardner concerning alleged financial mismanagement” in Sutter Creek, by the city council and managers. Rabe said he wanted to immediately address allegations of improper payment to Officer Kevin Harris, whom he said “has done nothing wrong and is a valuable and well-respected member of the Sutter Creek Police Department.” Rabe said it was “very unfortunate” that Harris “has been included in Mr. Gardner’s agenda.” He said Harris had an injury that prevented him form working on full duty. The council has hired an independent party to look at the issue to see if there were improprieties. Rabe said Sutter Creek City Council and staff were “made aware of various claims by Gardner several months ago, and the city responded immediately.” He said the “council and staff have always taken their financial management responsibilities very seriously.” The council and managers “have been working for several months to address various financial operational issues, including but not limited to Gardner’s concerns.” He said the city must complete “its ongoing financial management action plan.” Among the accusations, Gardner said the city improperly held “finance committee meetings” by calling them “budget” or “personnel” to avoid the Brown Act. Rabe said Tuesday that Mayor Pro Tempore Tim Murphy and Councilwoman Linda Rianda are members of both the finance committee and an ad hoc budget committee. He said an ad hoc committee does not need to be noticed, and is not open to the public. He said it mostly handles closed session personnel matters. The Finance Committee has not met for a couple of months. Gardner alleged the city made improper expenditures on developments, including Gold Rush. Rabe said there are certain areas in which the city must pay costs, while in others, the city and developer share costs. He said a good example was the wastewater master plan. The city council contracted with Gardner in 2004, and the contract ended May 3rd. Gardner was city auditor prior to that. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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