Water board says it has tight policies on spending

OREGON CITY, Ore. - Board members of Clackamas County Soil and Water Conservation District said Tuesday it has an adequate system of checks and balances to control county expenditures as the former Skamania County auditor, who is being investigated for his own spending practices, begins work for the county.

Former auditor J.  Michael Garvison is under investigation by the state of Washington after reportedly billing taxpayers for $83,000 worth of travel expenses in two years. He was recently hired to be the chief financial officer for the Clackamas County water board and started that job last week.

Board president Patti Jarrett said that no one staff member has access to funds.

“Two directors have to sign every check and also electronic fund transfers have to be signed off by the treasurer,” she said.

She said, like all employees, Garvison is on probation for the first six months.

“Everyone at the end of six months is evaluated and if there are questions, concerns, or issues, that probationary period can be extended,” Jarrett said.

She said they are constantly watching what’s best for taxpayers. “We are entrusted with taxpayer money and we take very seriously that that money is spent wisely and well.”

A KATU News reporter gave an attachment to one of the audits conducted by the state of Washington to the board members. That document pointed out spending concerns, some of which related to Garvison. Board members briefly looked it over but reserved comment about it. They said they will read it more thoroughly later.

The report from the Washington state auditor criticized Skamania County for having a lack of policy to control spending, which opened itself up for the potential misuse of public funds.

There is no word when the results of Washington state’s investigation will be available.