Resident alleges $30,000 missing from New Pine Creek Fire Department; sheriff advises state marshal

A Lake County resident alleged during public comment May 7 that the New Pine Creek Fire Department could not account for $30,000 in taxpayer funds, prompting a sheriff’s response and guidance on oversight.

William Brock Sutfin told the Board that the New Pine Creek Fire Department had taken $30,000 of taxpayer funds and could not explain where the money went; he said he had asked the department for a letter and that the fire district did not post minutes. Sutfin also said the department was inactive and announced a local debate scheduled for May 9.

Chair Mark Albertson asked Sheriff Daniel Tague—who also serves as a volunteer fire chief for Thomas Creek/West Side Fire Department—to comment. Sheriff Tague said there had been past instances when deputies broke into the New Pine Creek station because volunteers were unavailable, noting that volunteer departments are not required to respond at all times. He advised that a first contact for investigations into fire-district finances is the Oregon State Fire Marshal. Sheriff Tague and commissioners clarified that individual fire district boards control district funds and that the county commissioners do not generally have authority over those boards, except for appointment authority if a board lacks a quorum.

The minutes record the allegation and the sheriff’s guidance; the claim of missing funds was not substantiated or resolved during the meeting. The transcript records the allegation as a public comment and does not include documentary evidence or a formal complaint filed at the meeting.