Public commenter alleges unauthorized fund transfers by treasurer, cites audit findings and requests records

A Jefferson County resident used the public-comment period to say they had filed a right-to-know request asking the treasurer to identify any occasions since March 2022 when the Jefferson County treasurer transferred funds without the commissioners' approval, and to provide dates, amounts, accounts and purposes for each transfer.

The commenter told the board the county's recent audit by firm ZNA included a management letter with four findings relating to the treasurer's conduct and that the management letter recommended "establishing a clear and documented approval process that runs through the commissioners' office." The commenter said their office had not received that management letter but that the treasurer's office had.

The resident said the treasurer's response to the right-to-know request included three conditions the commenter described as burdensome: a 3–5 month preparation window, a $2,500 upfront fee and a requirement that the treasurer use legal counsel and a 30-day lead time. The commenter said they had submitted a $2,500 check but said they did not intend to "wait until the taxpayers have been further damaged" and planned to appeal the response if necessary.

The meeting transcript records the comment but does not show a formal county response to the right-to-know request during the session beyond a later remark that "the response Karen gave me is gonna be the response that we go with." No county official provided additional detail in the transcript as to whether the transfers occurred or to the substance of the ZNA findings.

Ending: The public comment flagged potential control weaknesses in the treasurer's office identified in an audit management letter and described a contested right-to-know response; the board did not take formal action during the meeting on the matter.