Van Buren Has 8 Audit Findings With 6 Repeats

A Tennessee Comptroller’s Office audit of Van Buren County has found eight findings with six reoccurring from last year.

Comptroller Director of Communications John Dunn said repeated findings show a, “Lack of management’s ability to correct a problem.” However, Dunn said the county has made some progress.

“We have had conversations, and county leadership has indicated to us that it has already corrected many of these issues or is in the process of correcting issues,” Dunn said. “We continue to be hopeful that the county is going to fix these problems and get on track.”

Four of the eight findings associate with the office of the county mayor including budget and purchasing deficiencies, cash overdrafts of the Ambulance Service Fund and financially responsibilities were managed by one person.

The Office of Road Superintendent exceeded the estimated beginning fund balance. The school system had a budget deficiency. The Circuit and General Sessions Court Clerk did not submit certain fees to the District Attorney’s Office.

The county’s Audit Committee received one finding for not providing a yearly report on progress of audit findings to the county commission.

The overall financial report is for the year ended June 30th, 2021. Dunn said the state office will continue to keep a close eye on the county’s operations.