Public presses Hudson County Prosecutor's Office over petty cash custodianship and audits; county explains procedures

A public exchange at the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners' Dec. 11 meeting focused on a change in the named petty cash custodian at the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office and on how petty cash is monitored and audited.

What was asked: Public speaker Raymond Mitchell asked for details about a resolution transferring custody of the Prosecutor's Office petty cash from "Esther Suarez" to "Wayne Mello," including how much the fund holds and how the funds were used during Suarez's tenure. Mr. Mitchell asked for itemized uses and said he wanted an accounting.

County response: County Administrator (transcript-identified as Mr. Autun) said the change reflected personnel turnover in the Prosecutor's Office and that when a department head changes the custodian name is updated in resolutions. Director Christine Fuller explained the typical purpose of petty cash: small purchases where issuing a check is impractical (the example given was a staffer buying a single copy of a newspaper). She said petty cash transactions are documented and must be submitted to Finance for budget coding and replenishment.

Quantities and audit: Director Fuller clarified that the Prosecutor's Office maintains two petty cash accounts: a business petty cash and a confidential petty cash, each $3,000, and that cash funds are turned over and audited annually by the county's independent auditors. She also said petty cash is generally for low-dollar purchases (the department's operational example was for items typically under $25). The Director said petty cash funds get replenished as vouchers are submitted and that the Finance Department reconciles the draws.

Public allegation and county posture: Public commenter Leroy Truth also asked whether audits occur and when; Director Fuller and county staff answered that petty cash funds are audited annually and are replenished through standard controls. Separately, Mr. Truth made personnel allegations about a Sheriff's Office lieutenant; those allegations were presented by the speaker in open session but the meeting record does not show a formal departmental disciplinary outcome announced at the meeting.

Next steps: Members of the public were told they may file OPRA requests for records if they wish to see documentation. Director Fuller said petty cash use is recorded and available through the Finance Department under the county's records rules.