Logan County Fire Coordinator Jimmy Porter presents a draft of his proposed financial reporting policy. County Commissioners take no action with Special Counsel Logan County Prosecuting Attorney David Wandling absent.
LOGAN During the Logan County Commission meeting earlier this month, County Fire Coordinator Jimmy Porter asked commissioners to adopt a transparency policy he’s been pressing for since early February. The policy would require any group or individual that receives funding from the commission to report back within a set amount of time and detail to commissioners how the funds were spent.
Logan County Prosecuting Attorney David Wandling, acting as counsel for the commission, asked Porter if he had a policy in mind. Moreover, Wandling questioned whether Porter knew of a similar policy being implemented by any county commission in the state of West Virginia or anywhere in the nation, to which porter responded he did not.
While Porter has yet to provide any precedent for such a policy, during the most recent commission meeting on Monday, he provided to commissioners a draft of the policy he wants to see adopted.
“Reporting Requirements:
1. Amount Spent: Clearly outline how the allocated county funds were utilized, specifying the amount spent in various categories or activities.
2. Remaining Balance: Provide an accurate calculation of the remaining balance from the initial allocation. If any funds remain unspent, provide a brief explanation of the intended use or plans for the surplus.
3. Copy of Expenditures: Attach copies of all relevant receipts and documentation related to expenditures. This should include invoices, receipts, or any other supporting documents for the transactions made using county funds.
Submission Timeline:
Reports must be submitted within 90 days of receiving the county funds. Late submissions may be subject to additional scrutiny or potential consequences.”
Under this policy, failure to comply with the new requirements would potentially result in applicants no longer being considered for funding by the county commission.
Porter expressed concern regarding the difficulty of holding someone accountable when that individual is considered a close friend, which he asserts is often the case in Logan. According to Porter, it would fall on commissioners to be willing to enforce this policy if it were to be put into place.
“If you don’t be forceful in pushing this, then it ain’t worth it. I mean, I know most of us know everybody on the ball teams and whatever, and you may not want to do anything or say nothing to a friend, but we are talking about public money. We’re just talking about accountability and this won’t work without the commission standing up to friends and families and voters...”
Special Counsel Prosecutor Wandling was not present at Monday’s meeting, so no action was taken by commissioners on the issue. Porter is expected to meet personally with Wandling in order to present his updated proposal before the next meeting of the Logan County Commission, which is scheduled for Wednesday, April third at 3 p.m. at the commission building across from the court house at 325 Stratton Street in Logan.
All meetings of the Logan County Commission are open to the public and are typically streamed on their Facebook page. Search “Logan County County Commission” to find the stream.