Commissioner wants Animal Control Funds investigated
WEXFORD COUNTY -- A Wexford County Commissioner is calling out the sheriff saying he may have misused county funds. The sheriff says it’s just one big witch hunt fueled by bad blood.
It’s no secret in Wexford County that certain commissioners, the mayor, and the sheriff don’t always get along. This time, Commissioner Terry Beck has documents he says shows the sheriff misusing animal control funds.
Wexford County Commissioner Terry Beck says, “My concern is that the taxpayers’ money is in a millage for a purpose. They’re not being used appropriately."
Animal control is part of the sheriff’s department with three full time employees and one part time. According to Commissioner Beck, the sheriff’s office last year spent $5,000 for ammunition for all of the deputies, but 40% of that went to outfit the Animal Control Division alone.
Commissioner Beck says, "It’s $2,000 dollars and I know they need ammunition for equipment to do their jobs, but to me $2,000 is an awful lot for 3 employees."
Beck is also questioning why there was an expenditure from the animal control fund for wristwatches bought back in 2007. 7&4 News showed Wexford County Sheriff Gary Finstrom, but he didn’t want to comment and said no one from the county has come to him with any funding questions. He also finds it odd that Commissioner Beck would FOIA information going all the way back to 2000.
Commissioner Beck says, “They don't have to like me, and I don't have to like them. I have to respect them and they have to respect me, but they might not."
During a November 17th meeting, a motion to investigate all transactions tied to the animal control fund died in a four-four tie, but the issue will be brought up in a finance committee meeting soon.
Commissioner Beck’s term ends in January; he hopes the issue will be resolved by then.
