ShawnCowden
Member
By Brad Hick / Staff Writer
Former Laurel County sheriff Gene Hollon amassed a deficit of approximately $112,000 during his time in office from 2003-06, and the Laurel County Fiscal Court is now working to collect the money owed to them. During Thursday’s fiscal court meeting, State Auditor’s Office representative Bobby Bowling discussed Hollon’s 2006 fiscal year audit and the 24 state recommendations that came from it.
Bowling said during the latest audit period, Hollon amassed a deficit of $41,397, for a total deficit of more than $120,000 over his four years in office.
Hollon didn't report all reimbursable items — such as work in district court — to the state. The unclaimed state reimbursements so far total $8,720.40 that can be applied toward the $120,000 deficit, and Bowling said there could be more.
According to Bowling, most of the money Hollon owes to the fiscal court comes from hazardous rate retirement pay the court paid to sheriff’s office employees who should have been paid at the lower, non-hazardous rate. Employees whose jobs are considered hazardous receive greater benefits upon retirement. There was also an instance of a part-time employee receiving health insurance benefits only eligible to full-time employees, and instances where more health insurance was paid than withheld from employees. According to the audit, Hollon also did not sign or have employees sign timesheets, causing at least one pay discrepancy.
With the release of Hollon's final audit, Laurel County Judge-Executive Lawrence Kuhl said the court can proceed with the steps necessary to collect on the monies owed to them. “What we need to do is get a bearing on the exact amount of money we need to collect,” he said.
The court approved a motion to accept the audit as presented, and Kuhl said the court has hired a private attorney who will be meeting with County Attorney Elmer Cunnagin to discuss the next step in collecting the funds from Hollon.
Former Laurel County sheriff Gene Hollon amassed a deficit of approximately $112,000 during his time in office from 2003-06, and the Laurel County Fiscal Court is now working to collect the money owed to them. During Thursday’s fiscal court meeting, State Auditor’s Office representative Bobby Bowling discussed Hollon’s 2006 fiscal year audit and the 24 state recommendations that came from it.
Bowling said during the latest audit period, Hollon amassed a deficit of $41,397, for a total deficit of more than $120,000 over his four years in office.
Hollon didn't report all reimbursable items — such as work in district court — to the state. The unclaimed state reimbursements so far total $8,720.40 that can be applied toward the $120,000 deficit, and Bowling said there could be more.
According to Bowling, most of the money Hollon owes to the fiscal court comes from hazardous rate retirement pay the court paid to sheriff’s office employees who should have been paid at the lower, non-hazardous rate. Employees whose jobs are considered hazardous receive greater benefits upon retirement. There was also an instance of a part-time employee receiving health insurance benefits only eligible to full-time employees, and instances where more health insurance was paid than withheld from employees. According to the audit, Hollon also did not sign or have employees sign timesheets, causing at least one pay discrepancy.
With the release of Hollon's final audit, Laurel County Judge-Executive Lawrence Kuhl said the court can proceed with the steps necessary to collect on the monies owed to them. “What we need to do is get a bearing on the exact amount of money we need to collect,” he said.
The court approved a motion to accept the audit as presented, and Kuhl said the court has hired a private attorney who will be meeting with County Attorney Elmer Cunnagin to discuss the next step in collecting the funds from Hollon.
