CENTERVILLE —
A current member of the Chariton Valley Planning & Development Council of Government's board in July during a telephone call said all questions about the state audit would have to go through their attorney.
Dean Kaster, a current CVP&D board member and board president cited in the state audit of the non-profit for the period of July 1, 2007-Aug. 31, 2010 released July 2 that identified alleged financial mismanagement by then executive director, Tracy Daugherty, and highly critical of the lack of board oversight, said a decision was made during a meeting to have attorney Shannon Woods, of Bloomfield, to answer all questions to make sure everyone was saying the same thing.
"We had a board meeting the other night and all of the directors on that board have talked to our attorney and we've been advised to direct any questions to our attorney," Kaster said during a telephone call Friday, July 27. "That way we've got everybody saying the same thing."
Woods on Monday, Aug. 13 by telephone said any questions concerning CVP&D going through her was to make sure the answers remained consistent.
"I just informed them that if anybody has specific questions, the best answer to give is to call me," Woods said. "So that I can make sure that it gets answered consistent with the release from the auditor of the state of Iowa."
Woods said deferring questions about CVP&D to her is not an effort by the board to avoid scrutiny or not cooperate.
"They have me and that's my job and it's just easier if I answer all the questions so that it's consistent," Woods said, noting she has been CVP&D's attorney for more than one year and advises them on personnel, policy and other legal issues. "So it isn't something where they came and retained me just for purposes of this audit."
Woods said part of the audit was critical of the board charged with oversight. Yet, she said, the audit failed to show corrective actions the board took in August of 2010 to prevent a repeat performance, like adopt new policies, regulations and obtain outside payroll and accounts receivable assistance "to ensure there's definitely checks and balances in place now," Woods said.
"And they've made huge strides in terms of making sure that a director isn't able to put the board in this position again," Woods said. "The biggest criticism, I think, of the board, was that they trusted Daugherty too much. And you would want to believe to trust your director, but unfortunately that was not the case."
Woods said no one with CVP&D or board members have been contacted by law enforcement. Yet, board members have indicated to her they want to proceed with criminal charges against Daugherty.
"I know collectively as a board they have expressed their support to the Appanoose County attorney to proceed with criminal charges against Ms. Daugherty," Woods said. "But my understanding is, that likely, is not going to take place. My understanding is that he did not feel that was something that would be worth pursuing."
Two telephone calls to Richard Scott, Appanoose County attorney's office, were not answered and messages left have not been returned.
Woods said the board's decision to support criminal charges being filed is one way they would be able to recover some of the money from Daugherty through restitution. Woods said some of the government agencies that granted money to CVP&D might want some of it back based on the appearance of financial mismanagement.
Other than criminal restitution, the board could pursue civil action against Daugherty for alleged theft, something Woods said the board has not given much thought.
"Primarily because that would be a backup option to the county attorney deciding to bring criminal charges," Woods said. "But, ideally, we'd like to see the state move forward and prosecute her for the theft."
In the August/September 2008 CVP&D newsletter announcing officers, Daugherty talks about the need to expand office space because "A dramatic increase in demand for council's services in the past year necessitated a move to occupy the 3,400 square foot facility, more than two times the size of the council's previous office."
The newsletter story doesn't explain the "dramatic increase" but points out council staff expanded to four full-time employees.
"In our first year, the council has doubled its staff and office space," notes Daugherty. "The purpose in doing that is for our organization to be better able to assist our four counties and 27 cities with their needs."
The state audit of CVP&D lists 205 N. 13th St. in Centerville as their office.
According to the July/August 2007 Chariton Valley Planning & Development Newsletter, CVP&D became Iowa's newest Council of Governments on July 1, 2007.
The audit states the counties of Appanoose, Lucas, Monroe and Wayne left Area XV Regional Planning Commission in fiscal year 2004 because of "concerns with the management of Area XV. The counties then began working with Chariton Valley Resource and Development Corporation and between the two they created CVP&D as a non-profit corporation on Feb. 4. 2004 with Daugherty the executive director.
CVP&DCofG executive board of directors:
• June 30, 2008: Dean Kaster, chairperson Appanoose County; Larry Davis, vice chair Lucas County; Dennis Ryan, treasurer Monroe County; Jerry O’Dell Wayne County; and Daugherty, executive director.
• June 30, 2009: Kaster; Davis; John Hamilton Lucas County; Ryan; O’Dell; and Daugherty.
• June 30, 2010: Kaster; Davis; Hamilton; Ryan; O’Dell; and Daugherty.
June 30, 2011: Kaster; Davis; Hamilton; Ryan; Bill Alley Wayne County; and Moore.
Daugherty resigned as the executive director Aug. 25, 2010; Nichole Moore was appointed executive director the same day.
Local News
August 15, 2012
CVP&D questions unanswered; attorney says board members support criminal charges
- Local News
-
-
Severe weather expected today
OTTUMWA -- Southeast Iowa will likely see the return of severe weather Sunday. Forecasters say there is a very high chance of thunderstorms this afternoon and evening and some could become severe.
-
FFA trap competition
Southern Iowa FFA trapshoot held on Sunday, April 28 at the Bloomfield Izaak Walton League and hosted by the Davis County and Centerville FFA chapters. Winners included Gabriella Buban of Wayne County at Corydon, top female. The top team was Moulton
- Centerville City Council Agenda for May 20 Centerville City Council Centerville City Council will meet Monday, May 20 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. Items on the agenda include approval of May 6 City Council meeting minutes, approval of April 11 Appanoose County Service Agency meeting minutes, a
- Prison term settles seven criminal cases A Centerville man facing 17 criminal counts in seven different felony, aggravated and serious misdemeanor cases in two southeast Iowa counties entered a guilty plea to three of the counts and was sentenced to state prison. The other 14 counts were di
- AC fair queen contest notice AC fair queen contest notice Contestants must be 16 to 21 years old as of Aug. 8. Contestants must be an active member of at least one worthwhile organization and be a resident of Appanoose County. Contestants must be present for the photo session,
- Work on 150th Avenue The Appanoose County Secondary Road Department reports the following road travel restrictions for 150th Avenue from 15129 150th Ave. to approximately .20 miles north of 15129 150th Ave. for a crossroad culvert replacement. Work started May 14 at 7 a.
-
Sprouse next IHCC president
OTTUMWA — The Indian Hills Community College Board of Trustees this week tabbed Dr. Marlene Sprouse to be the next president of the college. She will take over when current president Dr. Jim Lindenmayer retires in the fall. Board president John Poth
-
Loebsack calls for 'swift dismissal' in IRS targeting
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Dave Loebsack has called on President Obama to fully investigate the allegations that the Internal Revenue Service illegally targeted non-profit organizations based on ideological criteria. He also called for the swift
-
Students start new adventure with raised beds
Students and staff at SIEDA’s Appanoose County Head Start program were excited to receive their new raised bed vegetable gardens from the SIEDA Seeds of Hope program. According to Head Start staff, the students had chosen "Plants and How They Grow" a
- Rathbun Lake public information workshop The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rathbun Lake is hosting a workshop on Wednesday, May 22 with the intent to present information regarding the current water management operations, and the influence of recent and anticipated future trends necessitat
-
One airlifted after motorcycle accident on Hwy S70
One victim with injuries was transported to a hospital after sustaining injuries from a single-vehicle, motorcycle accident north of Plano Wednesday afternoon.
- Hy-Vee and Bill Riley Talent Search partner up DES MOINES - The Bill Riley Talent Search announced a new partnership with Hy-Vee Inc. Hy-Vee has agreed to become the presenting sponsor of the Bill Riley Talent Search with a multi-year contract, making a significant investment to keep the Iowa tra
- Board of Supervisors agenda for May 20 The Appanoose County Board of Supervisors will meet Monday, May 20 at 9 a.m. in the boardroom of the courthouse. Items on the agenda include approval of May 6 meeting minutes, resignation -- ADLM Emergency Management, approve liquor licenses, resigna
-
Woman with local ties makes colonel
On Feb. 8, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. LTC (P) Martha K. Brooks was promoted to colonel. Martha is the daughter of the late Willard E. Brooks and daughter of Nellie Brooks and granddaughter to the late Mattie Price of Centerville. Col. Brooks is the director
- IHCC Centerville campus graduation The spring term at Indian Hills Community College will culminate with a special student ceremony and graduation at the IHCC Centerville campus Wednesday, May 15. At 4 p.m. a reception will be held for the outstanding students on the Centerville campu
- More Local News Headlines
-
