Rush Springs Senior Nutrition leaders raise billing and purchasing questions with commissioners

Representatives of the Rush Springs Senior Nutrition Board asked the Grady County commissioners on July 7 for clarity about how to pay recurring costs for the building they use.

Betty Sellers and Lahoma Hayes told the board they believed past practice allowed a single monthly purchase order of about $3,500 that would cover rent and utilities; Sellers estimated utilities at "approximately $1,200.00 to $1,300.00 per month." Assistant District Attorney Charles Sifers asked how the group had used a carryover of $2,300; Sellers said they paid miscellaneous month-to-month expenses from that carryover.

Purchasing Agent Sydney Richardson explained that bills funded from sales-tax revenue must run through the county purchasing process and that senior services cannot create a P.O. labeled as rent and then use it to pay other bills because sales-tax-funded expenditures are subject to State Auditor review. Commissioner Zachary Davis said he was not comfortable authorizing $2,300 a month for miscellaneous bills without following county purchasing procedures and said the contract governing occupancy may need updating.

The board did not take formal action on the matter during the meeting; the transcript records an exchange of clarification on procedures and a suggestion that the 2015 contract referenced by the sheriff should be reviewed and updated.