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City auditor flags travel, car-allowance and p‑card weaknesses; commission orders p‑card review
Summary
City auditor Abidil Pedagio told the Daytona Beach City Commission his travel audit found an outdated travel policy, inconsistent documentation and examples of excessive spending; commissioners unanimously approved a targeted review of one purchasing card after allegations of improper personal use tied to a supervisor-subordinate relationship.
Abidil Pedagio, the city auditor, told the Daytona Beach City Commission on Dec. 3 that a review of travel expenditures and related policies turned up “an outdated travel policy,” uneven supporting documentation and illustrative instances of excessive charges that the audit could not reconcile to city standards.
Pedagio said the city’s travel policy lacks specific per-meal limits and a centrally tracked filing mechanism, making it difficult to hold employees accountable. He cited sample findings including a $135 dinner charge, a $114-per-day rental for a Chevy Suburban when economy options were available, a $40.66 valet charge and reimbursements for meals that were provided as part of a conference. “A single penny should not be wasted inappropriately,” Pedagio said.
The auditor recommended the city adopt clearer numeric limits and a per-diem approach aligned with federal guidance, centralize financial documentation, and require better verification of travel purpose and receipts. He told the commission his work used Yellow Book audit sampling methodology and that each finding in the draft report is supported by evidence.
Pedagio also raised a separate allegation received through the auditor’s tip line: anonymous sources reported an apparent intimate relationship between a supervisor and a subordinate that could have led to misuse of a city purchasing card. He asked the commission for authorization to investigate the specific p‑card transactions referenced in the tip.
Commissioners debated whether the first step should be a human-resources review or an independent audit. City Attorney cautioned about personnel rights and union protections; several commissioners and members of the public argued that an independent review of the p‑card transactions was necessary and feasible. Commissioner [Motion-maker recorded] moved to direct the city auditor to audit the specified p‑card; the commission approved the motion unanimously, 7-0.
City staff and auditors said they will coordinate legal and HR review where needed and will protect confidential workpapers until appropriate disclosures are required by law.
Next steps: the auditor will review the referenced p‑card transactions and report back to the commission. The city manager and staff also committed to drafting updated travel, purchase‑card and auto‑allowance policies for commission review.
