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Turtlecreek Twp. overpaid retirees, state audit reveals

Workers were paid for more unused vacation time than policy permitted.

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 12:06 AM Friday, November 20, 2009

Turtlecreek Twp. overpaid three retiring employees by nearly $30,000 according to a report issued today, Nov. 19, by the state auditor’s office, but one township trustee said it is the retirees who are being penalized.

When former fire chief Bill Stevens, former assistant EMS chief Sandra Stevens and former road supervisor Gene Bustle retired at the end of 2008, each was paid for multiple years’ worth of accrued vacation.

But Turtlecreek Twp.’s policy states that an employee can carry over only a maximum of one year’s worth of vacation time, according to the auditor’s report.

In Bill Stevens’ case, the overpayment totalled $17,303, while Sandy Stevens was overpaid $3,993 and Bustle was overpaid $8,581.

Stevens already has repaid the money for both himself and his wife, who died in April, the report said.

Trustee Dan Jones said the mistake was made because trustees and Turtlecreek’s fiscal officer believed vacation could be accrued over several years.

He said he did not blame fiscal officer Tammy Boggs.

“The blame falls onto past fiscal officers and the trustees as much as anyone,” Jones said. “We were operating under an assumption that wasn’t the case.”

“Sometimes you don’t catch all the fine print,” trustee Jim Vandegrift said.

Jones said he felt Stevens and Bustle were being penalized.

“It’s a shame they don’t get the vacation days they deserve,” Jones said.

Jones and Vandegrift said they would look into changing the policy so that township employees will be paid for any leftover vacation days at the end of every year to avoid the issue.

“We’re not trying to short anybody any vacation pay,” Vandegrift said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.

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Aw thats right, of course i didnt see your name on the ballot. Because your one of those people that instead of doing something productive, you would rather sit at home and criticize everybody elses mistakes. Sound about right? You wouldn't last 5 min in there shoes. I get so tired of reading peoples comments on here, how they think that just because they have read a few articles, they know all about the job, and can do it better. Oh, and the camp fire joke..man, you got me there...idiot.

joe
5:12 PM, 11/20/2009

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What do you want? You expect them to read and memorize every rule and regulation there is? Cmon man, If they had the past fiscal officers telling them that it was ok, then wouldnt you take there word for it? Thats the whole reason to have a fiscal officer, to handle these kind of situations! Thats why its called chain of command. Everybody has a job. So I dont see where Dan was wrong. Better yet, if you feel you can do a better job, then where was your name on the ballot sheet?

joe
4:54 PM, 11/20/2009

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After reading this I am sorry I voted for Dan Jones. Apparently they don't run a very tight ship here in Turtlecreek. They can't read their own policies...They must get it told to them around the camp fire.

are you kidding?
3:42 PM, 11/20/2009

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I see why you think, "Why now? This was resolved months ago." The thing is, the Western Star more than likely just got this press release because the state auditor's office won't release it until the investigation is complete. So...they get this bit of information. You think they should sit on it? Say, "Eh, this is old news. Not even worth a blurb." BC I can tell you that if they did that, they'd have their butts handed to them, also by you, for being shoddy and not covering stories.

are you kidding me
3:16 PM, 11/20/2009

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I agree with both of you, i really dont see how in the world this is news, when there is 1,000 other more important things going on in the city and township. Especially with our tax money. This really has no concern with our tax dollars, since they have returned it. So your wrong by saying it has anything to do with that, when its already been corrected. And as for you Greg, i have to agree, your out of line by bashing the reporter. He only does what hes told to do buddy.

Ted09
2:09 PM, 11/20/2009

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