Tioga commissioners suspend city auditor after alleged $10 million transfer; hearing set

City Commission President Brett Rieniets convened the Oct. 7, 2024 meeting in Tioga and the body moved quickly to address a finance dispute that prompted an immediate personnel action. Commissioner Jaden Iverson raised that City Auditor Abby Salinas had transferred $10 million without the commission’s knowledge and said the transfer may violate Century Code 40-16-11, which requires that city funds be controlled by the governing body.

Iverson moved to suspend Salinas from the auditor’s position immediately pending a public hearing, a motion seconded by Commissioner Steven Dye. On the first suspension motion the roll call recorded ayes from Iverson, Dye and President Brett Rieniets and a nay from Commissioner Steele; the motion carried. Iverson then moved to schedule a public hearing for the matter (the minutes record the hearing date as Sept. 23, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.), a motion seconded by Dye that passed on roll call. The commission also voted to appoint Desiree Hanson as interim city auditor and approved a separate motion to suspend Salinas with pay while restricting unsupervised access to office equipment and information pending the hearing.

The commission cited Century Code 40-16-11 in discussing the city’s authority over funds; the minutes record Iverson’s allegation about the transfer. The record shows multiple, separate roll-call votes to implement immediate personnel and continuity steps: suspension, hearing scheduling and interim appointment. The minutes do not include a direct statement from Abby Salinas in response to the allegation, and no written finding was recorded at the meeting.

What happens next: the commission set the matter for a public hearing (date as recorded in the minutes). The suspension remains in effect, and Desiree Hanson was installed as interim auditor to maintain office operations until the hearing and any subsequent action are completed.