This is no time for hurt feelings

Whitman County has lost its Standard & Poors Bond rating.

This is because financial information was not received in a timely manner for the organization to judge the county’s credit worthiness.

A minor clerical error?

No, it is much more than that.

The final financial reporting for 2012 (that’s right 2012, not 2013) is not yet completed.

The problem is centered in the auditor’s office. From there it has been put on the infamous NewWorld accounting software and a litany of other culprits.

Some time ago, we were told the county’s accounting problems had been fixed and the county was entering a new era of accurate and timely financial reporting.

That, obviously, was premature and overly optimistic.

Last week, the county commissioners asked for information from the auditor. They wanted to know what had happened and why it had happened. They wanted to know how to fix the problem. They offered some relatively restrained suggestions. These included fixing the software, revamping the accounting work flow and bringing in experts to advise and correct.

Since the ultimate responsibility lies with the auditor, she was asked to come up with a plan and suggestions of her own. She was asked to attend a workshop this week and present her plans and thoughts. That was last week.

Instead, she opted out of attending the meeting and accused the commissioners of “blind siding” her. Apparently she is now only willing to talk with one of the commissioners.

She is an elected official. She has a job to do. This is not the time for pique and sulking and hurt feelings.

This is the time to get things working correctly, professionally and in the best interest of the taxpayer.

The commissioners and the public expect no less.

And they do not expect too much.

Gordon Forgey,

Publisher