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Commissioners demand fast plan after Treasurer's office reconciliation delays threaten $3.7M capital-outlay
Summary
Treasurer Kathyrn Hernandez said the main account reconciliation is complete but tax-account work remained; commissioners demanded a written plan after learning the county has already paid $37,000–$63,000 to an outside accounting firm and was at risk of a $3.7M state capital-outlay freeze.
Torrance County Treasurer Kathyrn Hernandez told the commission on Sept. 10 that the main bank-account reconciliation is complete and the tax-account reconciliation should be finalized within days. The work, she said, will allow staff to forward records to the county's auditor.
"The main account reconciliation is now fully completed," Hernandez said. Commissioners pressed staff to explain why the problem persisted for months and how the county would avoid future lapses. Deputy County Manager Misty Witt said the unresolved reconciliations delayed final FY26 budgeting and FY25 quarter-four reporting because those processes require ending cash balances.
Chair Ryan Schwebach and Vice Chair Kevin McCall said the situation had put county projects at risk. McCall said the state had frozen a $3.7 million capital-outlay grant for the new administration building while the Department of Finance and Administration reviewed the county's financial controls. Commissioners noted the county had retained an accounting firm to help; Misty Witt reported invoices of $37,063.91 for June–July and an anticipated August invoice that could put total to roughly $57,000–$63,000.
Schwebach demanded a concrete corrective plan in one week and said he expected the Treasurer, as an elected official, to lead fixes and staffing changes if needed. "I need a solid game plan. I need it in a week," he said.
Commissioners approved routine payables and asked the manager's office to report back with a time line and specific training or staffing adjustments needed to ensure timely reconciliations and reporting to DFA and auditors.
Provenance: Topic introduced SEG 005; last related statements SEG 009.
