Tioga commissioners suspend city auditor after alleged $10 million transfer, schedule public hearing

Commissioner Jaden Iverson moved on Sept. 16 to suspend Tioga City Auditor Abby Salinas after saying he had learned she transferred $10 million without the commission’s knowledge, a move Iverson said violated Century Code 40-16-11, which requires that city funds be controlled by the governing body. The commission voted to suspend Salinas immediately, with pay, and to hold a public hearing on Sept. 23, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.

The action followed Iverson’s statement during the finance portfolio that he had learned on Sept. 13 that Salinas had moved the funds; Iverson told the commission that the transfer occurred without prior notice to the governing body. Iverson also moved to appoint Desiree Hanson as interim auditor to ensure continuity of operations; that appointment was approved by roll call.

Commissioner Iverson additionally moved that Salinas be suspended on the condition that office equipment and information remain off-limits unless supervised by the Commission President. Commissioner Elizabeth Pendlay advised the commission that Salinas must be provided written notice of the hearing, that tonight’s minutes serve as the record for the allegations, and that a recording of the meeting be hand-delivered as part of the notice process.

The motions to suspend Salinas, appoint an interim auditor and schedule the hearing carried on recorded roll calls. The transcript shows no on-the-record response from Salinas during the meeting. The commission listed the hearing date for Sept. 23 to allow the governing body to review the matter publicly.

Next steps: the commission will hold the public hearing on Sept. 23, 2024; the record for the allegations was set as the minutes of the Sept. 16 meeting and commissioners directed that written notice be provided to Salinas.