Accounting Contract Leads To Squabble On The Jefferson County Commission
A contentious meeting of the Jefferson County Commission led to verbal sparring in the commission chamber after the meeting ended.
Commission President Jimmie Stephens and President Pro Tem Lashunda Scales lingered on the dais Wednesday as most who had been in the session exited. Stephens said he felt he was being disrespected as Scales discussed a proposed extension of the county’s contract with an accounting firm to perform annual audits.
At one point, Stephens said Scales implied that he was being racist in performing his duties as a commissioner.
“I’m going to administer government in this county like it’s colorblind,” Stephens said as he left the chamber.
Replied Scales: “I know dead presidents are colorblind,” referring to money.
A resolution seeking a three-year extension of the county’s contract with Warren, Averett, Kimbrough, and Marino, LLC was pulled from the consent agenda for separate consideration. Commissioner Sheila Tyson repeated the concern she expressed during Tuesday’s committee meeting that Warren Averett lacked the diversity that the county should display as it seeks to escape the cloud of a decades-old consent decree for past hiring practices.
Warren Averett has created a financial statement and performed a single audit each year since it was hired in April 2008.
Banks, Finley, White & Company has provided the audit of federal grants for the county since the end of fiscal year 2013. Before fiscal year end 2007, the state Examiners of Public Accounts performed the financial statement and single audits for Jefferson County.
Commission discussion included the assertion that an agreement had been struck to hire the minority firm of Banks Finley White & Company. Scales took offense at the notion that John Henry, the former county chief financial officer, had made a deal to give Banks, Finley, White the bigger contract as auditor.
“If (Warren Averett) had this contract for at least almost 10 years, Mr. President,” Scales said to Stephens, “then why would a minority firm not be given the opportunity to now, at least, especially if they have the capacity to do the same contract?”
Angela Dixon, who was recently promoted to CFO to succeed Henry, recommended that the county extend its contract with Warren Averett to maintain stability in the difficult period of the pandemic. She said the three-year extension came from Warren Averett.
“This is the standard contract they provided,” Dixon said.
Finance committee Chairman Joe Knight said he was unaware of the alleged deal.
“As finance chair, I didn’t know what was going on,” he said. “Don’t put me in this position where I’m part of something. I didn’t talk about a 1-year deal or a 3-year deal. It sounds like some sinister activity.
“I wasn’t involved,” Knight continued. “I wasn’t in any meeting about changing the firm. I wasn’t involved in anything sinister. Holy Cow!”
At one point, Banks Finley White was referred to as a “new company.” Tyson took issue with that, saying, “They’re not a new firm. Not that I’m an advocate (for them). I’m for what’s right.”
Scales offered a substitute motion that the auditing contract with Warren Averett be extended one year, subject to evaluation at budget time. That motion passed unanimously.
The resolution concerning the county’s contract with Advanced Disposal for residential garbage and trash collection was accidentally placed on the agenda after commissioners agreed to hold that matter over for two weeks. It was removed from consideration.
China flexes blockade capabilities near Taiwan on second day of military drills
China's People's Liberation Army is staging a second day of large-scale military drills around Taiwan. It's unleashing live-fire exercises as part of what it calls "Justice Mission 2025."
Policy relief for family caregivers seems stalled out. But there are signs of change
Family members carry the burden and costs of caring for America's aging population. Federal policy change is slow to come but a new movement and state actions are building momentum.
Federal appeals court judge is accused of bullying her clerks
The Legal Accountability Project complaint, which has not been previously reported, states that it is based on conversations with multiple former law clerks.
How Alabama Power has left the ‘American Amazon’ at risk
As its polluting coal ash ponds remain in groundwater, Alabama Power has doubled down on fossil fuel energy investments.
How George Wallace and Bull Connor set the stage for Alabama’s sky-high electric rates
After his notorious stand in the schoolhouse door, Wallace needed a new target. He found it in Alabama Power.
FIFA president defends World Cup ticket prices, saying demand is hitting records
The FIFA President addressed outrage over ticket prices for the World Cup by pointing to record demand and reiterating that most of the proceeds will help support soccer around the world.
