Commissioners Discuss Credit Card Usage, Meals
Roosevelt County commissioners conducted a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 22, with elected officials and department heads to discuss credit card policy and meal purchasing. Commissioners said the goal of the meeting was for everyone to be more careful with spending.
Commissioner Robert Toavs explained that commissioners are required to sign off on expenditures from departments and offices. Toavs said that some expenditures have raised questions.
Based on information that he found on an U.S. government site, Toavs said credit card usage by the government should be limited to certain expenses such as hotels, fuel, airfare and internet purchases with prior approval.
Toavs said that commissioners aren’t there to micro-manage, but they can put restrictions on purchases.
He added that the Montana Association of Counties reports that paying for employees’ meals when they are not traveling is considered a fringe benefit.
Commissioner Gordon Oelkers said commissioners have seen a lot of abuse with both credit cards and meals throughout the years. Each department head should take responsibility to make sure things are done correctly.
Toavs said he just wants officials to be aware of where money is being spent. He said a goal is being aware of where and why money is being spent.
Oelkers feels paying for meals at meetings or trainings where outside people are brought in is acceptable. He doesn’t feel the county should pay for meals when departments hold meetings for employees at noon rather than at other possible times during the day.
Toavs said that he often thinks about whether he can defend a purchase made if asked by taxpayers. It’s beneficial for commissioners to have adequate information about why a purchase is made.
Charging with a vendor is preferred over credit card use by the county, officials said, and keeping track of receipts is vital.
Commissioners stressed to purchase items locally when at all possible.
“These local businesses pay our wages,” Oelkers said.
