The long-awaited forensic audit of the Wagner Park Bridge project has not found any financial crime, but there are questions about the tender process and the quality of the work, as discussed during the Wheatfield TWP on March 3. The meeting of the supervisors.
The audit, made by Boyer and Ritter LLC, reviewed the documents and interviewed key people in the project, including current Jim Fuller, Jeff Smith and Phil Vogel supervisors, former supervisor Barry Shrope and John Weldon from John Weldon Construction. The audit did not find any proof of financial fraud, the investigators concluding that “no economic losses were supported by Wheatfield Township.”
The $ 104,216 project was partially funded by a subsidy of $ 66,700 from the Conservation and Natural Resource Department (DCNR). Two bids for the project – Jay Fulkroad and Sons, with an offer of about 225,000 USD, and John Weldon Construction, which bid US $ 74,000. The audit mentioned that DCNR has requested an explanation for the high discrepancy. A letter was offered by stating that Jay Fulkroad and sons may not have been interested in job and thus provide a high level. The audit found that the tender process is appropriate.
Despite this fact, several members of the public expressed concern that the audit did not examine whether the project has met the offer specifications. Boyer and Ritter said in their report that they are not engineers or contractors and, therefore, could not evaluate the quality of the construction.
Public comments reflected continuous dissatisfaction. The inhabitant Mary Swope asked if the invoices transmitted for the project were detailed, especially in terms of materials such as Stone and Macadam. “How can you say if something is missing if it is not detailed?” she asked.
The supervisors replied that the invoices contained descriptions, but could not confirm if they included detailed quantity breakdown.
Swope’s question was sometimes interrupted by murmur and participants, emphasizing the controversial atmosphere of the chamber as a result of audit findings.
Also, questions have arisen if the city paid too much. The audit confirmed that John Weldon Construction was paid 79,950 USD for the work. In December 2022, then supervisor Barry Shrope requested a reimbursement of $ 4,311 for what he decided to be overloaded. Weldon did not agree with the request but reimbursed the amount. Shrope and Smith both told the auditors that I think the surtax was bigger, Smith estimating that it could have been three times higher than the amount reimbursed.
While no financial offense was found, some residents were asked if a contractor who served as president of the Leisure Council while bidding on a city project created an unfair advantage. The lawyer of Dave Wilson said that although this situation raises ethical questions, if the tender process has been performed properly, it is not necessarily illegal.
“In retrospect, they never happened again,” Fuller said.
The cost of the criminal audit was about $ 17,000, with additional legal fees related to the investigation.
While the audit offered a clean financial health bill, many residents have left the meeting, believing that the key concerns regarding surveillance and responsibility remain unresolved.
In other businesses, supervisors discussed continuous maintenance and financial planning. Roadmaster Dexter Potter reported on snow removal and proposed the purchase of 200 tons of additional road salt to prepare for the next winter season. The supervisors approved the purchase, mentioning that the amount could be adjusted if needed.
Also, the financial position of the city was discussed, the supervisors examining the interest rates for three warehouse certificates (CDS) that mature in early March. The supervisors moved to reinvest the funds in the CDs that offer the best available rates. In addition, there have been discussions about the appointment of CDs for specific future expenses, such as replacing equipment, to improve financial planning.
The Board of Directors also addressed security measures at the city’s office. New cabinets were installed for locking files to better ensure the records in the city. Further discussions have occurred about digital reserve copies, with the suggestion that documents in the city should also be scanned and stored electronically.
A wooden crop planned at Wagner Park was briefly mentioned, supervisors agreed to request offers for the project, once a road right is clearly marked.
The meeting also included an update of the property assessments from the chief evaluator of Perry County, Randy Wagoner. The reassessment in progress is close to completion, with preliminary opinions established by post to the inhabitants of the city until mid -March. Wagoner encouraged residents to participate in informal reviews if they have concerns about their new property values.
The supervisors approved offers for the spring cleaning of the city, granting the Bulldog engines and the general removal of waste to Sylvester’s.
Public comments at the end of the meeting were largely focused on the audit results, several residents expressing frustration for the cost of the investigation. Others have raised concerns about the city’s expenses and financial planning, while some thanked the supervisors for increased transparency.