Bland Board of Aldermen pulled the checkbook from the Bland Park Board at the Nov. 12 meeting until further information on their finances are forthcoming.

Bland Alderman Diana Mayfield notified aldermen Nov. 12 that there are some major issues with the Park Board’s finances that need to be addressed by the board.

“They turned in some records and some receipts for their reconciliation, however, there are some checks still missing from the statements,” Mayfield said. “The concern is that there were three checks that were written and cashed for cash. One of the is for $2,880 and the only thing that is written on them is labor. The other two — nothing.”

The second check was for $100, and the third was for $200.

“As a person who has worked for a public entity for over 20 years, I realize that you cannot do this. You have to — dealing with taxpayer dollars — you have to account for every dollar you spend, you have to say where it goes, and it has to be legitimate,” Mayfield said.

Mayfield said she has been sick over the issue all weekend since she discovered it. Mayor Lee Medlock said he had a recommendation.

“You can say whatever you want to say about it, but until we get the information that we need from them, we will seize their checkbook and they will not have any authority to withdraw any money out of their accounts at the bank,” Medlock said. “Until we can get somebody in here to let us know what is going on.”

Mayfield said there was something else.

“I had this thought and Lee had this thought that this cash for labor — we were wondering if they were paying themselves,” Mayfield said.

“But we don’t know,” Medlock interrupted.

“We don’t know,” Spradling interjected. “I know who did it. You all know who did it.”

Medlock said if the purchase is over $1,000, it has to be bid out.

“We went through that with them on another project that they had, and they know that,” Medlock said. “So if it is the same project that we think it is, if it’s after that, then they already know that. They should have been bidding this out.”

Mayfield said the Park Board has been given that information before.Since they are volunteers for the Park Board, they cannot pay themselves, if that is the situation they currently find themselves in.

“How many have the right to sign checks on the Park Board,” Spradling asked.

“Two,” Mayfield said. “Lee Nielsen (Park Board president) and Allie Nielsen (Park Board treasurer).”

Spradling said she is sure the Park Board will come up with a reasonable explanation for the check with the large amount.

“But it won’t be to what the city’s standards,” Spradling said.

Medlock said they can’t get the information for their records until someone from the Park Board comes to the meeting.

“Until we can get this resolved on what the money went for or any receipts, this is all we have to go by,” Medlock said.

Mayfield added that at least two checks have been written to Leslie Cronin for $50 and she is a member of the account board, therefore they should not be paying her anything.

“If they are reimbursing her for something, they need to have a receipt,” Mayfield said. “But if they are paying her, no.”

Spradling said she doesn’t go along with any of that, and putting a hold on the account is fine with here. Medlock asked if they should start the hold Nov. 13.

“Carrie,” Spradling said, addressing Carrie Krupp, city clerk. “Has Allie come in?”

Krupp said Nielsen picked up mail and dropped some things off, but Mayfield discovered the checks over the weekend. Mayfield gave the board a list of checks on the monthly statement that she does not have receipts for, and added check no. 1195 was missing.

“It’s out there somewhere and I don’t know what it is,” Mayfield said.

Medlock said if they do bring in the information the board needs, he does not want to give the checkbook back to the Park Board until aldermen decide  — or do an audit.

“They need training,” Mayfield said. “The treasurer needs training on what is required and why it is required. It’s not a ‘maybe I will do it’ it’s a ‘you will do it.’”

She said the Park Board also needs training on their board minutes.

“They need a list of who was there, first and last names, and more on discussion,” Mayfield said.

Mayfield said there was some discussion about purchasing a laptop during the meeting, but nothing that said why they need one. The Park Board budget does not include a laptop.

“What was there budget this year,” Spradling said. “Do you know what is in their budget?”

Medlock said the Park Board budget is part of the overall budget for the city.

“Those minutes are supposed to be supplied to this board,” Mayfield said. “They definitely need training.”

Spradling said she agreed, but this Park Board is not the first board to do what they did.

“That is why the other boards are no longer here,” Spradling said. “I will go along with what Lee said.”

Medlock said years ago the city took care of writing the checks, but then a Park Board was given an open checkbook.

“The problem is, if we get audited right now, there is $2,800 plus some that is written for cash,” Krupp said. “That’s embezzlement and we just have to pray that we get all the documents.”

“This is major,” Mayfield added. “That’s like using a debit card to buy whatever you want. This is serious.”

Spradling said they can call the bank tomorrow. Krupp said regardless, they need the checkbook.

“We don’t want the Park Board owing people things because checks came back,” Krupp said.

Mayfield said Allie Nielsen did not pick up the monthly electric bill, so the city will have a late fee again.

“That is unacceptable for a public entity,” Mayfield.

Spradling said she doesn’t have a thing against either person.

“But we need the information,” Medlock said.

“I make a motion to pull the checkbook from the Park Board and freeze the Park Board account from having withdraws from the Park Board members until the issue is resolved and then to go from there,” Mayfield said.

Spradling seconded the motion. The board passed the measure with a roll call vote with all in favor.

Krupp said she would contact Allie Nielsen about bringing the checkbook to city hall.