Harvey County voids $266 per‑diem, approves warrant batches totaling roughly $274,000

Harvey County commissioners approved the county’s warrant checks after agreeing to void a $266 per‑diem reimbursement to outgoing Treasurer Rebecca Opland tied to travel to a conference in Philadelphia.

Commissioner Terry Scott moved to approve the July 22, 2025 warrant batch totaling $134,868.00; Becky Reimer seconded and the motion passed unanimously. During consideration of the July 29, 2025 batch, Reimer questioned whether the $266 per‑diem for Opland should be approved given that the Treasurer was not re‑elected and the trip was not preapproved. Assistant County Administrator/Finance Director Shannon Kingsley said, “this trip was not pre‑approved according to policy, but the expenses are being paid from the Treasurer's Motor Vehicle fund which can be used at discretion of the Treasurer.” Kingsley recommended reducing the reimbursement by the cost of an additional hotel night (about $200) that was charged beyond the conference schedule; the board agreed to void the $266 check and approve the remainder of the batch.

After the adjustment the board approved the July 29 batch (presented total before the void was $139,579.83; the approved total after voiding the $266 check was recorded as $139,313.83). The board also approved routine minutes and other consent items before moving to presentations and land‑use cases.

The discussion focused on adherence to county travel and preapproval policies and on which internal funds could legally carry these expenses. No further disciplinary action was recorded in the minutes; staff said the Treasurer’s Motor Vehicle fund may be used at the Treasurer’s discretion, and commissioners requested any adjusted per‑diem be resubmitted for payment review.