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County's phone use sparks concern
By MICHAEL SANDLER, Times Staff Writer An audit of Pinellas County government telephone usage found that employee bills are inadequately monitored and singled out one commissioner for making almost $900 in personal calls. County Administrator Steve Spratt said that commissioner was Chairwoman Barbara Sheen Todd. The audit found that from February to April 2001, employees rang up a bill of $6,370 on calling cards, which averaged about $1.06 per minute. It further notes that five county employees accounted for more than half those costs. It also noted that during one three-month period, county employees made more than 10,000 calls using some type of operator assistance, at a cost of more than $7,000. Although Todd was not named in the audit, but Spratt said Todd was the commissioner cited in the audit for running up "significant personal usage of the County's calling card without routine reimbursement." Todd, the commission chairwoman, said most of the calls identified as personal -- which the audit said were to her home or to a relative -- were made to check on her constituents, a task which she considered official business. "The vast majority of calls I make when I'm on the road were to retrieve my messages," she said. "It is my intention to return calls when I get them." Over twelve months ending April 2001, the internal audit says that the commissioner spent $2,735 in calling card charges, of which $896 were identified as personal. The audit said Todd "was apparently unaware that calls home were not allowable when away on County business." Bob Melton, chief deputy director of the internal audit division, said, "Generally, calls home to relatives would be considered personal. If there are exceptions, each exception should be fully documented as to the nature of the county business to be performed." After Todd was informed of the situation, she reimbursed the district $1,125.54, a figure that included personal calls made through November 2001, Melton said. "All of the employees should be aware that personal-related calls should be reimbursed," said Spratt, who took over as county administrator in December of 2001. Spratt said he remembered seeing an October 2001 memo from the previous administrator reminding employees of this policy. He said his office was drafting comprehensive policies for all communication equipment issued by the county. But that handles only county employees. Spratt said county commissioners did not fall under employee policy. Spratt said he learned of the audit's initial findings in January and began to take corrective measures. The audit also says Todd, at the same time, sent a memo asking all commissioners to adhere to procedures issued by the county administration. "My responsibility as a commissioner is to make sure we have clearly defined policies," Todd said. "Secondly, as an elected official, I certainly have to subscribe to the same things as our employees. I can't expect any exceptions. I never have, and I never will." Spratt has asked employees to review their records and reimburse any personal calls that may have been overlooked. The county's telecommunication employees will review records, too. Additionally, Spratt has asked for an evaluation of all employees issued calling cards. He said 181 cards had been issued at the time the audit began. Those with both cellular phones and calling cards will be asked to turn in the latter, unless they travel to areas without cellular phone service. "We directed that anyone who could not justify the need for having one would relinquish it," Spratt said. -- Staff Writer Lorri Helfand contributed to this report. Michael Sandler can be reached at 445-4174 or sandler@sptimes.com.
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From the Times North Pinellas desks Editorial Editorial |
