Supervisors discuss credit card policy

By Rebecca Boysen
Herald Staff Writer

December 26, 2008 10:12 am

— CLINTON — The Clinton County Board of Supervisors discussed the possibility of creating a county credit card policy during this week’s regular meeting in accordance with a recommendation from the Iowa State Auditor’s Office.
“It’s important that you do have a policy issue established,” Clinton County Attorney Mike Wolf told the board, adding that Black Hawk County recently did away with county credit cards after reports of “misuse.”
Chairman Grant Wilke stated that he feels the creation of a policy outlining acceptable use of county credit cards by employees is a must.
“Anything that has to do with money, you have to have a policy and a system of checks and balances,” Wilke said.
County Auditor-Elect Eric Van Lancker told the board that the responsibility for controlling the use of county credit cards should fall on the department heads.
“It’s up to the department heads and elected officials to go over statements and monitor use,” Van Lancker said.
Wolf told the board that he has prosecuted cases in the private sector involving employees who made unauthorized purchases on their employer’s credit cards.
“That’s the problem,” Wolf said. “It’s there, and it’s a temptation.”
County Auditor Charlie Sheridan added that he recalled an instance several years ago involving a Conservation employee that used a county credit card to purchase birthday gifts.
“That person is no longer with us,” Sheridan reported, adding that the matter was prosecuted.
Wolf noted that the county needs to come up with a policy that will keep employees from temptation, without being too restrictive.
“You want to make it as broad and flexible as possible, but with flexibility comes abuse, and with restrictions comes control,” Wolf said.
The supervisors asked Wolf to create a credit card policy draft using Scott County’s policy as an example.
“I’d like to have this in place as soon as possible,” Supervisor Dennis Starling stated. “It shows that we do take (the state auditor’s) recommendations seriously.”