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Madison County auditor says payroll discrepancy was a calculation error; board debates public accusations
Summary
Auditor Michelle Brandt told supervisors that a previously publicized payroll issue was a calculation error (not malfeasance) and involved $5,214 in total; board members criticized public accusations made before an investigation was complete and debated transparency on payroll records.
Madison County Auditor Michelle Brandt told the Board of Supervisors the county'wide payroll discrepancy discussed in recent meetings resulted from a calculation error and not intentional misconduct.
"It was just a calculation error," Brandt said at Tuesday's meeting, explaining the payroll basis had been misapplied; she reported the total amount involved was $5,214 spread across affected pay periods. Brandt said earlier public statements had implied malfeasance and that private citizens were publicly accused before a full investigation. "That is not the case," she said.
Board members pressed for transparency and cautioned against public accusations without evidence. Several supervisors said unverified allegations about payroll and improper system access had created unnecessary community concern. One supervisor urged the board to avoid making accusations in public meetings "without evidence," saying that private citizens had been harmed by statements that were later clarified.
The auditor said she led the internal review and that, based on payroll records and timesheets, the issue stemmed from using an incorrect hours figure during calculations; Brandt emphasized that the discrepancy reflected a modest total payment error rather than the large-scale theft some public comments alleged.
Board members also debated what payroll and time records the board may access as public information and whether details about affected individuals should be released. Several members pressed the auditor to deliver data to the board for monitoring and to prevent further public misstatements; the auditor said the board had the right to public payroll information and agreed to provide data and work with the board on a transparent process.
The discussion concluded without a formal vote; supervisors signaled they would pursue clearer internal procedures on how sensitive personnel discrepancies are investigated and publicly discussed.
