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SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946 www.currypilot.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2025

Brookings, Oregon

$4.4 Million Treasury Fund Discrepancy Takes Center Stage at Board of Commissioners Meeting A sharp $4.4 million discrepancy in APR funds dominated discussions at the January 9th Board of Commissioners Business Meeting, fueling community concerns about fiscal transparency and management. The issue, uncovered through recent reviews and highlighted in the "APR Discussion" document, brought to light critical gaps in fund allocation and tracking, prompting a lively debate among commissioners and financial oversight officials.

$4.4 million was paid to Curry County through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) which provided $350 billion in federal funding to support state, local, and tribal governments in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as the county discovered through email and telephone messages from the federal treasury, only $1.7 million was accounted for. The report revealed significant inconsistencies in the reported figures for the APR fund, with projected expenditures and actual allocations failing to align. Vicino’s analysis suggested that a lack of communication between key departments may have played a role in the shortfall. Vicino highlighted how the discrepancies likely originated during the initial stages of fund distribution. “The problem may be rooted in outdated accounting systems and an over-reliance on manual reconciliations,” he explained. However, he stopped short of identifying a definitive cause, instead recommending a more comprehensive investigation to pinpoint the source of the issue.

Finance Director Keina Wolf Demands Accountability

Keina Wolf, Curry County’s Finance Director, opened the public commentary by stressing the broader implications of the missing funds. “This isn’t just about dollars and cents,” she said passionately. “This is about trust. The people of this county have every right to know where their money is going and why it isn’t where it’s supposed to be.” Wolf’s remarks reﬂected a growing frustration among residents, many of whom have voiced concerns over what they see as systemic mismanagement of public resources. Her call for transparency resonated deeply, setting the tone for a meeting marked by urgent demands for clarity and accountability.

Commissioner Jay Trost Raises Concern Over Potential Consequences

Adding to the gravity of the discussion, Commissioner Jay Trost warned of the potential repercussions if the issue remains unresolved. “This isn’t just a bookkeeping error,” Trost asserted. “The fallout from this has led to real-world consequences, including job losses and salary reductions for our county

County Treasurer Nicholas Vicino Details the Discrepancy

Curry County Treasurer Nicholas Vicino provided a detailed breakdown of the discrepancy.

employees.” Trost emphasized the importance of proactive measures to address the ﬁnancial gap, noting that failing to resolve the discrepancy could undermine critical public services. “The last thing we want is for our employees to bear the brunt of these mistakes. We need to act swiftly to ensure that doesn’t happen.”

Commissioner Patrick Hollinger Calls for a Forensic Audit

Commissioner Patrick Hollinger echoed the urgency of Trost’s remarks but went a step further, calling for a forensic audit to get to the bottom of the matter. “This isn’t just about ﬁnding the money,” Hollinger said. “It’s about understanding how this happened and ensuring it never happens again. A forensic audit is the only way to achieve that.”

Details from the "APR Discussion" Documents

The "APR Discussion" document, which served as the foundation for much of the evening’s debate, painted a troubling picture of the county’s financial practices. The report outlined a timeline of fund allocation, revealing several red flags, including: 1. **Inconsistent Reporting**: Different departments reported conflicting figures for the same fiscal periods, making it difficult to track where funds were allocated and how they were spent. 2. **Delayed Reconcilia-

with an emphasis on implementing the recommendations outlined in the "APR Discussion" document. The Board also committed to providing a detailed update at the next business meeting, where they plan to present the ﬁndings of any ongoing investigations and outline steps for resolving the discrepancy. Commissioner Hollinger’s proposal for a forensic audit remains under consideration, with a decision expected in the coming weeks.

tions**: Key ﬁnancial reconciliations were delayed by months, increasing the likelihood of errors and reducing the county’s ability to identify discrepancies in real time. 3. **Unclear Expenditure Categories**: Several expenditures were listed under vague categories, with no supporting documentation to explain their purpose or necessity. The report concluded with a set of preliminary recommendations, including enhanced training for ﬁnancial staff, upgraded accounting software, and more stringent oversight protocols.

Looking Ahead

As the investigation continues, the $4.4 million gap in APR funds serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ﬁnancial oversight and accountability. For many residents, the incident underscores the need for systemic changes to ensure that public resources are managed responsibly and transparently. The next Board of Commissioners meeting promises to be a pivotal moment in this ongoing saga, as ofﬁcials work to restore public trust and chart a path forward.

Community Reactions and Public Concerns

The meeting drew a substantial crowd, with many attendees expressing frustration over what they described as a lack of accountability from county officials. “Every dollar matters,” said one resident during the public comment period. “This is taxpayers’ money, and we deserve answers.” Several community members also called for immediate action to ensure the integrity of future financial reports. Proposals ranged from increased public access to financial documents to the establishment of a citizen oversight committee to monitor the county’s financial activities.

Next Steps

In the meeting’s closing moments, the Board of Commissioners pledged to take swift action to address the discrepancy. Commissioners agreed to prioritize a review of the county’s ﬁnancial systems and practices,

Library Board Meeting Coming Up The Chetco Community Public Library District Board of Directors will be hosting their regular monthly board meeting in the library Forest Room on Tuesday, January 21st at 6 p.m. As a reminder public comment

will be limited to three minutes and must be related to an agenda item. Statement on Public Comment: Each person has three minutes to speak, and comment must be directly related to an

agenda item. In observance of Oregon open meeting laws, this isn’t the time for dialogue, but rather a time for the board to listen to the public. Our library director is taking notes of action when needed and recording the

substance of public comments. On the agenda are: the 202525 Budget; the Budget Calendar; Budget Committee Vacancy; Capital Projects; Access Control & Makerspace wall; Forest Room video conferencing; Li-

brary paging system; Parking Lot & Exterior Site Improvements; the Director’s Report and Board Member Announcements. Community members are encouraged to attend.

The Chetco Community Public Library

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Phone Number: 541-813-1717 • Address: 519 Chetco Avenue, Unit 7, Brookings, OR 97415 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

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