An audit of the City of Blytheville reveals 3 major issues involving sales taxes, the police chief’s office, and the Advertising and Promotions Commission.
The Jonesboro Sun reports in the audit released Wednesday the city failed to file and pay over $1 million dollars in sales and use taxes between September 2008 and August 2014.
Early last February, the city mortgaged a piece of land and signed an agreement with the state Department of Finance and Administration for 30 monthly payments of $36,437 with 2.5% interest.
John Callens, Finance Director, told the Sun majority of the issues were from the previous finance director. Callens assures that all corrections have been made in the city’s accounting system and will be monitored closely.
The audit also revealed an error in recorded annual leave for 6 police officers between January 2009 and June 2015. The police chief’s office gave the officers unauthorized paid leave during that period.
The Advertising and Promotion Commission office was also in the audit for paying the city’s chamber of commerce over $8,250. The payment was made without a contract which violates state statute.