Audit petition now has enough signatures

Details

Published on Wednesday, 22 February 2012 11:21

Organizers continuing to collect petitions

Dale Denwalt
Daily Elk Citian

A petition that has been circulating since January has garnered enough signatures to proceed.

If approved by the state, it would have the state auditor and inspector's office conduct a forensic, or investigative, audit for the years between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2011.

The petitioners got enough signatures about four days ago, said Dora Martindale, who is helping to organize the effort. However, they're not done.

"We've surpassed that. We're still getting signatures, however, because we want to make sure any are thrown out we have a sufficient number to cover that," he said. "We're going to collect until the deadline."

The deadline is Tuesday. At that time, the group will travel to Oklahoma City.

"It will be hand-delivered to the state auditor's office and after that, it's up to them whatever's next," Martindale said.

When the auditor's office receives the petition, they will forward the pages to the State Election Board for verification that those who signed are eligible voters living within the Elk City limits.

The names of those who signed the petition will remain secret.

COST

The City of Elk City will be responsible for paying for the audit, which has been estimated to cost between $45,000 and $60,000. The cost is an estimate based on travel expenses for an audit supervisor and two auditors, and the number of hours they will work.

There is no deadline for the state auditor's office to complete an audit, but it has been estimated to take approximately a month.

The state auditor's office is busy with audit petitions, it seems. Residents in a town in far northeastern Oklahoma, Miami, are collecting signatures, as are citizens in Glenpool. Another local town, Cordell, has been embroiled in controversy and its council on Tuesday requested that the auditor look at its financials and operations.

Cordell Mayor Alex Damon said it would take about 60 days before the auditor could get started there, and another two months before a report is available. The cost of the Cordell audit, which would be about $20,000, would be mitigated with help from the city's financial adviser and independent auditor.

"It's an expensive way to do it, but we didn't have any option," said Damon.

SCOPE

The petition calls for an investigation into nine broad and specific items, including the following:

-Possible irregularities in city purchasing policies and procedures, involving bid violations, bid collusion, conflicts of interest and other irregularities.

-Possible irregularities and a review of the costs associated with an Elk City public trust authority's initiative to implement a "wireless" network as an additional city utility.

-Possible irregularities and a review of the costs associated with an Elk City Public Trust Authority's initiative to create an electric utility service, as an additional city utility.

-Possible irregularities in the sale of city-owned properties and equipment.

-Possible misuse of federal grant funds related to the Elk City projects.

-An analysis of any subsidies provided to a nonprofit entity by the city government or its public trust authorities.

-A review of the circumstances related to the city administration not implementing new city charter changes twice passed by a vote of the people.

Review of other issues prior to the primary scope of July 1, 2007, as necessary and/or time permits.

NO TROUBLE

Martindale said that she and her group of volunteers had no trouble collecting the more than 600 signatures it will take to instigate an audit.

"The people have been overwhelmingly positive," she said.

The group knocked doors, sent emails and contacted folks on Facebook and by phone.

"We're a small group of very dedicated people who want to make Elk City a better place, get through the past and move to the future," said Martindale.