September 28, 2009
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News: Georgia City CC Use Questioned
The city of Baldwin, Georgia has been under scrutiny by a local newspaper for its credit card spending policies. The Baldwin Bulletin used a magnifying glass while looking at city officials spending habits in using city credit cards. In recent years, the city has used multiple cards with multiple authorized users. Several transactions have been questioned including a department manager's hotel accommodations while attending a conference on Georgia's jewel coastal vacation spot. The Bulletin is questioning credit card charges for the manager who stayed at the posh Jekyll Island Club Hotel and other city employees attending the conference stayed at the standard Jekyll Island Days Inn.
When questioned about the credit card spending on city card accounts, City Manager Scott Wood indicated that he does not examine the department manager's spending and trusts their "integrity." It seems understandable that Wood would express these sentiments in view of the fact that he has had some of his own credit card charges questioned. Wood defended his performance by stating that the city has not required a tax increase while under his management and that increased operating funds have been generated where little existed in the past. Additionally, he stated that the city has been able to increase personnel positions including a Planner, Senior Accountant, and an Engineer. All accomplished without personnel layoffs and while giving regular pay increases.
The investigation into city spending also revealed that Wood used city funds to pay for numerous lunches and dinners two or three times a week for him and other staff members including the Mayor and City Council members. Dining bills expand from $20 to nearly $900 for a party of five at the Kinkead in Washington D.C. Wood defended his staff luncheons by saying that he uses them to “maximize the use of his time.” Wood has recently tendered his employment with Baldwin and is the new City Manager for the City of Canton. City Finance Director Don Toms has taken over management of the city expenditures and has replaced credit cards with purchasing cards that will enable him to better track employee spending.