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TBOUR opens administrative review of Minor Hill after comptroller report alleges misappropriation
Summary
The Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation voted to open an administrative review of Minor Hill Utility District after a comptroller investigation found alleged theft by a former bookkeeper and weak internal controls; staff was authorized to investigate managerial and financial capacity and customer complaints.
The Tennessee Board of Utility Regulation voted to place Minor Hill Utility District under administrative review after a comptroller report identified alleged misappropriation and serious lapses in internal controls.
Ben Johnson, presenting staff and comptroller findings, told the board the former bookkeeper at Minor Hill — named in the report as Ashley Stagner — faces criminal charges including theft, forgery and computer‑crimes violations, and that the audit found forged signatures on dozens of checks and at least one documented misappropriation of funds. "The former bookkeeper misappropriated $1,934 from the district and signed the names of district commissioners on a total of 61 checks," Johnson said.
Board members expressed concern about the apparent lack of formal, documented corrective actions at the utility. "With that small of a staff, oversight should be significantly easier," Bruce Giles said, urging a full managerial and technical capacity review. The board agreed, voting to authorize an administrative review and direct staff to investigate fiduciary controls, training and managerial capacity.
The motion, made by Anthony Pelham and seconded by Steve Stone, passed without recorded dissent. The board directed staff to prepare investigative steps and report back with findings and recommended remedies.
Why it matters: Administrative review can lead to requirements for managerial changes, corrective actions, or more intensive oversight. Staff noted Minor Hill’s operational ties to other local entities and flagged the potential for broader governance and financial risks if controls are not strengthened.
What happens next: Board staff will gather documents, interview current managers and vendors, and notify relevant stakeholders; a timetable and interim reporting schedule will be established during the investigative phase.
