The State Auditor’s Office today (Friday) released a report on a special investigation of the Creston Water Works. The investigation covers the period from July 1st, 2005 through November 16th, 2012, and was conducted as a result of concerns regarding certain purchases and other financial transactions authorized by the General Manager, Steve Green. 

The audit identified more than $89,835 worth of improper and unsupported disbursements, which includes slightly more than $49,720 paid to Green, and additional retirement contributions for inspections of 2 projects for which a separate inspector had been hired. It also includes just over $30,300 worth of unauthorized vacation payouts and FICA contributions, and a little more than $2,315 worth of  assets purchased by the Water Works but in Green’s possession. The improper disbursements identified also include almost $1,961 of petty cash reimbursements to Green, for prescription medications and about $1,263 to Green for meals. 

The more than $3,050 worth of unsupported disbursements identified includes petty cash reimbursements to Green and other Water Works employees for meals, travel and conference expenses for which documentation was not sufficient to determine the propriety of the reimbursement.

The Water Works does not allow employees to carry over or payout their vacation balance without Board approval. However, in addition to paying out his vacation balance, Green carried his balance over from year to year. The investigation says as a result, Green’s vacation balance was overstated by 476 hours, which is valued at more than $22,520. 

The report includes recommendations to strengthen the Water Works’ controls and procedures over inventory, payroll and other disbursements, including petty cash. 

Copies of the report have been filed with the Union County Attorney’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office, the Union County Sheriff’s Office and the Division of Criminal Investigation. A copy of the report is available for review in the Office of Auditor of State and on the Auditor of State’s website  http://auditor.iowa.gov/specials/1223-0848-BE00.pdf

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Microsoft is the latest business planning to build a massive data center in Iowa as the state continues to attract some of the biggest technology companies looking for a place to expand their computer processing and storage abilities.  Microsoft is proposing to spend more than $670 million on another West Des Moines data center. The company is seeking $20 million in tax credits to create about 30 jobs. The Iowa Economic Development Authority on Friday was considering approval of the incentives.
 
Already Microsoft, Facebook, and Google have chosen Iowa for data centers. Microsoft’s total investment is expected to exceed $1 billion in Iowa with the new project. Industry consultants say Iowa offers plentiful, inexpensive electricity and policies that alleviate millions of dollars in property and sales taxes.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – An annual parade organized by a gay and lesbian nonprofit group will move from Omaha to Council Bluffs. The Daily Nonpareil reports the parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, in downtown Council Bluffs. More than 35 floats will join in the Heartland Pride Parade, which typically is held in Omaha but had to be moved because of the College World Series. Due to that event, there weren’t enough police officers to block streets in Omaha.
 
The parade is hosted by Heartland Pride, which advocates for the local gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. The parade is part of the 28th annual Live Proud event, which began Thursday and continues through Sunday at Omaha’s Stinson Park at Aksarben Village.

The Iowa State Patrol reports one person was killed, another injured, during a single-vehicle rollover accident late Thursday night, in Mills County. Officials say 30-year old Jason R. Hawkins, of Plattsmouth, NE, died in the crash, while a passenger in the vehicle, 34-year old Shaun Goines, of Clarinda, was injured.

The accident happened at around 10:50-p.m. on 195th Street, just north of Pacific Junction. A 1999 Chevy Blazer driven by Hawkins was traveling north when the SUV went out of control, rolled, and came to rest upright in the northbound lane of travel. Neither Hawkins nor Goines was wearing a seat belt. Hawkins died at the scene, while Goines was transported by LifeNet helicopter to Creighton University Hospital in Omaha. A report on his condition is not currently available.

The accident remains under investigation.

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest on Thursday of 39-year old Dan Christensen, of Atlantic. Christensen was taken into custody on a charge of Disorderly Conduct. He was transported to Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending an appearance before the magistrate.