TIMMONSVILLE --
An audit for the Town of Timmonsville's finances for the period March 2009 to February 2010 was completed last month by Holt and Holt Certified Public Accountants, LLC in Florence.
Timmonsville council member, Johnny Wright, says he can't believe the findings.
"The majority of the stuff on this report, I didn't know anything about it," said Wright.
The audit says the town cannot account for about $361,000.
Wright said, "There is no documentation of where this money is."
The auditors say the town did not maintain adequate accounting records, which limited the scope of their audit.
"Right now the administrator is trying to rectify this problem," said Wright.
The audit also found numerous instances where water and sewer bills were reduced without proper notation.
Councilman Wright said, "Definitely uncalled for. Again, it seems like to me these folks are trying to hide something and I don't understand why."
The audit shows Timmonsville didn't file Fines and Assessments reports with the state over a series of months. In other cases, the audit shows missing or incomplete grant records and the town was unable to substantiate payments, which accountants say can lead to the funds being spent for unapproved purchases or personal gain.
"When I hear personal gain, somebody's digging their hands in the cookie jar," said Wright.
Wright says officials with the State Law Enforcement Division have a copy of the audit and are reviewing it as a part of an ongoing investigation of the town's finances.
Wright says their current town administrator and town clerk, who were hired after the audit took place, have worked hard to improve the town's finances and have doubled the its revenue.
