Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Finance Audit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges forensic audit, alleges missing EDC and bond funds tied to Elgin business‑park sales
Summary
At public comment, Tiffany Saint Pierre asked the Elgin City Council to order a forensic audit, alleging Economic Development Corporation funds and infrastructure bond proceeds are missing and that the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone has not met since 2019.
Tiffany Saint Pierre told the Elgin City Council during public comment April 1 that the city should order a forensic audit to examine Economic Development Corporation (EDC) funds and bond proceeds, asserting money from land sales in Elgin Business Park is missing.
“Please be proactive and order this forensic audit now,” Saint Pierre said. “One way or another, this forensic audit is coming. If you order a forensic audit, this council would find that the former city manager misused Elgin economic development funds to prop up maintenance and operation instead of supporting business growth.” She added, “I pulled the EDC bank statements and the money is missing. Where are the millions from all the land sales in the business park?”
Saint Pierre said the land is recorded in Bastrop County as owned by the EDC but was purchased with city infrastructure bond funds earmarked for the wastewater treatment plant. She told the council the Brooks Watson audit highlighted financial shortfalls she described as “the root of the city's financial problems and the lack of money needed to incentivize business growth.”
Saint Pierre also raised concerns about the city’s Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ), saying the TIRZ board has not met since June 2019 and that a requested detailed audit of bond proceeds was never completed. She said the TIRZ chairman is Mayor Chris Cannon and argued that the council should call the TIRZ board to meet, noting an ordinance she provided states the board should meet twice yearly. She said she is willing to share documents with council members.
The remarks were made as public comment; the transcript excerpt does not show council members taking a motion or vote to order an audit during the meeting.
