OKLAHOMA CITY — Compiled by the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspectors Office, the 2006 and 2007 “Audit Findings” reports for Adair County were released Monday and were leaked to Oklahoma Watchdog even though these were not the final reports and not meant for public consumption.

But because the issues within the reports were discussed publicly at Monday’s meeting of the Adair County Board of Commissioners meeting in Stilwell, the information compiled by the auditors became “public.” So, Oklahoma Watchdog took a look at the audit reports and found some interesting information.

First, the controversial issue of the paving of privately-owned roads, something that occured on the Salem Church parking lot and cemetery and the Fairfield Community parking lot, were, according to the report “not in compliance with state statutes which could result in misappropriation of assets.”  This is because there was no evidence of a cooperative agreement between the county and the private individuals who opeate the churches in question.

Secondly, in the 2007 “Audit Findings” report, the auditors addressed the issue of cell phone usage by county employees. After examining cell phone purchase orders and supporting documentation for eight different billing periods between August 2004 and June 2007.” The report notes that “two out of the eight purchase orders did not contain the phone bill as supporting documentation.” It notes that a county official – not named – reimbursed Adair County a percentage of the usage; “however, it was difficult to determine if the usage exceeded the percentage reimbursed. A policy covering cell phone usage did not exist.”

The auditors recommend that Adair County have a policy in place regarding cell phone usage.

Russell Turner, the chairman of the Board of Commissioners and a Republican, had been supportive of the audit, particularly after compiling information that some potentially problematic or even illegal activity had been taking place in the county and with use of county funds.

“The auditors did their job,” Turner told Oklahoma Watchdog on Monday afternoon. He added that their findings – and they are thorough – “vindicated” him.

There is much more information and Oklahoma Watchdog will be going over the audit reports and have a full report in the next day or so. Stay tuned to Oklahoma Watchdog for updates.