January 11, 2024 |
Photo – Medicine Bow Town Council – Bigfoot99 file photo
In Medicine Bow, officials have expressed frustration over a state-run audit of the town’s financial records. Last summer, the Wyoming Department of Audit undertook an unannounced examination of Medicine Bow’s books. Soon after, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation became involved.
Medicine Bow officials said DCI removed around a dozen boxes containing files and financial records from the town hall in late June of 2023. Despite the state’s audit being completed, Cheyenne has not returned any of the documents to the town.
During Monday’s town council meeting, Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer asked about the status of the state-led audit. Town Clerk and Treasurer Karen Heath said the financial analysis was completed in November.
Town Attorney Cameron Smith said the town paid $1,000 to send a copy of the report to the state prosecutor. Attorney Smith said the town did not receive its own copy. The town attorney said the town should wait until the investigation is finished instead of paying another $1,000 for its own copy.
Mayor Justin George said DCI promised to return the files seized last summer after an official copy was made. Mayor George said he believes that by refusing to provide the financial documents, DCI is hurting the town’s ability to operate.
Mayor George said he and Town Attorney Smith will begin demanding DCI release the seized documents. The mayor said the state agency should have already provided Medicine Bow with the files.
For the past 7 months, the Medicine Bow town council has been operating with no real knowledge of the town’s finances. Department heads have been asked to spend as little money as possible to avoid unknowingly putting the town into debt. Medicine Bow officials are hoping that the state investigative agency will provide the files without the town having to pay another $1,000 for its own certified copy.
