Council accepts April financial report amid questions about a $2,000 volunteers’ dinner entry error
Summary
The council accepted the April 2025 financial report by voice vote after a resident questioned a $2,000 line entry described as a 'bar cap' for a volunteers’ Christmas dinner; staff said the label was an error and that the dinner was an approved appreciation event.
The Talking Rock Town Council accepted its April 2025 financial report by voice vote following a public exchange about a $2,000 expense listed on the report.
During public comment, a resident questioned a line item described as a "bar cap" and asked how taxpayer dollars could be used. A council member responded that the entry related to an approved volunteers’ appreciation dinner for Heritage Days and council members and their families; the staff member responsible called the entry an error during the meeting: "That was my error. I was still learning the thing." The council said the meal had previously been approved and that volunteers and vendors who supported Heritage Days were among those invited.
The presiding official asked for a motion to accept the April financial report; a motion and second were made and the report was approved by voice vote. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally or a policy change regarding expenditures; staff offered to provide the restaurant contact and to correct the accounting label.
