FAIR: Clerk on right track

Kootenai County employees who draw their pay prior to having earned it. Certainly, Commissioners and other elected officials do not “draw” in advance, do they?

The line between a draw and embezzlement is an easy one to cross. Anyone not working at the fair has to go to a pawn shop or payday loan office, tap into savings, borrow from a friend or relative, or some other source when the need for money arises unexpectedly.

The County Clerk called for a comprehensive audit and two commissioners suggest that the morale of the fair employees will be impacted and the reputation damaged. That has already happened. The commissioners have a fiduciary duty to act in a timely and decisive manner.

The most basic rule in handling other people’s money is that the person receiving money does not disburse money and money being disbursed has an attached voucher with all appropriate signatures and the check has been signed by two people.

When the commissioners found out that the fair manager paid himself in advance, that should have been a big red flag demanding their immediate attention. The county clerk should be commended and the electorate should consider the actions of the commissioners when voting. These elected officials sought the office and the duties that come with that office. Protecting the public and insisting on employee behavior that is above reproach is their responsibility which cannot be ignored.

BOB HUNT

Post Falls