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Auditor reports nearly $11 million in claims; court presses staff on $200,000 telecom payment
Summary
The auditor presented nearly $10 million in general claims and raised questions about large telecom payments. Accounts‑payable staff reported a 97% departmental response rate as the county reconciles device lines and seeks cost savings.
Mateo Flores, the county’s senior internal auditor, presented agenda item 4b and told the court the claims package included general claims totaling $9,977,669.74, medical claims of $978,494 and an estimated payroll (gross) of $5,535,097.67.
Commissioners focused follow‑up questions on large payments to telecom carriers and a $200,000 payment that had been approved to reduce outstanding mobile‑service balances. One commissioner asked how the $200,000 figure was determined and requested substantiating documentation. Accounts‑payable staff (Anthony) said department outreach returned roughly a "97%" return rate and that teams are verifying device numbers, reconciling invoices and exploring consolidation of carriers and lines to cut costs.
The sheriff (addressed during the discussion) noted earlier duplicate carrier purchases under the prior administration led to overlapping accounts and removed SIM cards complicated tracking; he described efforts now under way with auditors and purchasing to identify and disable unused lines. Commissioners requested a standing committee with purchasing and department leads to continue the reconciliation work. The court approved the claims package on motion.
