Madison County officials approved the meeting agenda and a consent list of claims at a special session, but the county auditor said she had paused payment on at least one invoice after receiving emails, bills and phone records she said raised questions about a possible overpayment.

The auditor (Speaker 2) told the board she had ‘‘received additional information’’ and forwarded documentation to outside counsel, saying she had ‘‘processed it, over to Bowles’’ and asked for confirmation before releasing payment. ‘‘I tried to elaborate to a letter and copy all of you guys in on it. I’m hopeful that he’ll respond today, and we can put it on next Tuesday’s to get that approved,’’ she said.

Why it matters: The auditor’s pause put one invoice under closer review even as the board moved to approve the remainder of the claims. The discussion highlighted the tension between the auditor’s duty to avoid improper payments and the board’s responsibility to approve claims under the county’s public-purpose standards.

Board debate and legal review

Speaker 1 pressed whether the auditor had been directed to obtain the records; the auditor said she had ‘‘directed myself to get that information’’ and that her concern was who else had access to the records. The auditor said she had discussed the matter with the county attorney and the sheriff and that counsel found it reasonable to pay the full amount in question. ‘‘He said it was reasonable to do that,’’ the auditor said.

Speaker 2 also described the county’s relationship with outside counsel, saying the county is ‘‘on retainer with Bellin/Bellen’’ and that counsel would confirm whether the claims ‘‘follow the public purpose doctrine.’’ A fellow board member (Speaker 3) raised objections to repeatedly hiring outside counsel and questioned having taxpayers pay additional legal bills.

Motion and votes

Despite the auditor’s concerns about one invoice, the board approved the consent claims after a motion and second. Multiple members responded ‘‘aye’’ on the voice vote and the chair declared the motion carried. The board also approved the meeting agenda earlier in the session and later voted to adjourn. The meeting record does not show itemized roll-call vote tallies by name.

Public comment and next steps

The chair opened public comment but limited remarks to the meeting’s agenda items; no members of the public spoke. The auditor said she would seek a response from outside counsel and, if needed, place the questioned invoice on the agenda for the next regular meeting so the board could consider it with any new documentation. The chair announced a subsequent meeting at 09:30 to review supervisor budgets.

What remains unresolved

The auditor said she had paused ‘‘other invoices I’ve received just in the last two weeks’’ until proper documentation is provided. She also referenced a specific amount she could not fully reconcile: ‘‘what part of that $1,500 that we’ve already paid is part of my questions.’’ The transcript records the auditor’s stated caution and the county attorney’s reported advice but does not record a definitive determination about the disputed invoice at this session.

The session record indicates the board approved the consent agenda and adjourned; the auditor plans to follow up with outside counsel and place any unresolved items on a future agenda if necessary.