Broomfield council debates p‑card misuse, orders policy changes and public reporting

Council and members of the public spent the bulk of the meeting on the use of purchasing cards by council members after disclosure of personal charges on a councilmember’s city p‑card and delays in reimbursement.

The issue came to the council’s attention in January when staff notified council leadership that a councilmember had used a city p‑card for personal hotel and restaurant charges and had not provided receipts or timely reimbursement. Councilmember Marsh Holshon read a prepared apology and said he reimbursed the city and had turned his p‑card in to staff. “I take full responsibility for it,” he said.

The matter drew multiple public comments. Rick Fernandez of Broomfield Taxpayer Matters told the council the handling of the matter undermined public trust and questioned why staff had to make repeated attempts to collect repayment. John…