February 21, 2007

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  NEWS: Deltona Probes Official Card Use

  The city commission of Deltona, FL, is in the midst of a review as to how elected officials and employees are using city-issued credit cards. A frustrated City Manager,
  Steve Thompson, closed a week-long forum on the issue Monday evening, after the commission could not agree as to how to handle the proceedings. Thompson stated that he himself in is the midst of conducting further research into the matter before the issue can proceed.
  
  The issue came to light when The Orlando Sentinel published a story detailing how officials were using their city cards for meals, music, gift cards, movie rentals, jewelry and other items. Many of these purchases were unjustified by accompanying paperwork, which is supposed to state how the individual purchase was related to city business. Furthermore, while the city of Deltona enjoys tax-exempt status (as to all U.S. city civic organizations, essentially), many non-exempt purchases were made, at such retailers as Walmart and mall shops.
  
  The news fired up the city commission, who initially discussed such restrictions as not allowing meal purchases within city limits, and/or making employees reimburse the city for unjustified expenses. At least one critic expressed the opinion that the city had distributed far too many expense cards in the first place, and ought to curtail spending on an overall scale. The commission stalled at this juncture, however, unable to agree as to what restrictions were fair or necessary. As it is clear that a checks and balances system has become necessary, Thompson has been assigned by the commission to look into how controls are imposed on official card use in other cities, before Deltona takes a stand as to imposing like restrictions.

  
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