Oklahoma County officials are grappling with a $14 million bookkeeping error discovered earlier this year, with discussions continuing Tuesday but still leaving many questions unanswered.
The county’s budget evaluation team held a three-hour meeting Tuesday to address the financial discrepancies.
“We don’t have all the answers for every single row at this moment, but we are working night and day to figure out the schedules in place, developed by people who are no longer here,” said Chantel Boso, Oklahoma County’s chief financial officer.
C.J. Webber-Neal of the Neal Center for Justice highlighted the importance of public trust.
“Right now, the citizens of Oklahoma County are looking at you, and that’s how they’re gonna determine if they actually trust you,” he said.
>> Video Below: What’s going on with Oklahoma County’s money after months of reported errors, problems with budget?
County Clerk Maressa Treat revealed that not all the money in the reserve funds account is accounted for, raising further concerns. Treat has joined Oklahoma County Prosecutor Vicki Behenna in calling for an independent audit of the county’s finances.
Treat told KOCO 5 that she welcomes an audit, and their staff is committed to assisting auditors in every way possible.
>> Video Below: Accounting error shows Oklahoma County’s reserve fund has about $10M less than previously reported
County commissioners said an audit would involve a bidding process, but with the reserve account drained, they may not have the funds to pay for it.
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