Beaufort County Council's Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee held its first meeting today, Wednesday, July 26, at 1 p.m., to discuss the multiple authorizations to hire professional firms and begin reviewing County purchases, contracts and purchasing procedures and the County procurement code.

These authorizations are a result of motions voted on unanimously by County Council earlier this week at a special called meeting.

Today's agenda includes a discussion authorizing the committee to hire professional firm(s) to:

• conduct a thorough review of all purchases that have occurred since January 1, 2023 to confirm the purchases comply with the County's procurement codes, identify any that do not comply, bring to Council those that don't and provide a description of any discrepancies;
• conduct a thorough review of all professional services that have occurred since January 1, 2023 to confirm that all contracts comply with the County's procurement codes, identify any that do not comply, bring to Council those that don't and provide a description of any discrepancies;
• conduct a thorough review of Beaufort County's Procurement Code and recommend updates, revisions, new measures and other changes that will strengthen the code if needed;
• conduct an audit of the County's P-Card System for the fiscal years 2019-2023, and report findings to Council along with recommendations for changes, if needed.

In all four reviews, if necessary, funding will come from Council's Contingency Fund, and the Acting Administrator will bring forward a budget ordinance amendment to fund the contracts. 

Called to order by Committee Chair Council Member Mark Lawson, the following actions were taken:

1. A motion was made and passed unanimously to publish a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) soliciting law firms qualified to conduct investigations and audits. The scope of work will include all four reviews: purchases, contracts, p-card purchases and review of the current County procurement code;
2. Acting Administrator John Robinson has requested a review and adjustment of all p-cards currently in use. He will conduct a thorough review of purchases, daily limits and credit limits in all County departments. Some exceptions will be made, however, all exceptions will be documented and approved by the Acting Administrator;
3. The Finance Department will provide a monthly report to the Acting Administrator and County Council members of all p-card purchases.

"The purpose of these investigations, audits and reports is not for purposes of a witch hunt," said Chairman Mark Lawson. "We need a thorough review of policies and procedures to make sure County procurement code was followed. We want to gather as much information as possible so we can hold ourselves more accountable, be more proactive and make changes in an effort to do an even better job for the public. In the end, the silver lining to this entire situation is greater accountability, a stronger  County procurement code and ultimately, even greater fiscal transparency."

The next County Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 14. 

To watch today's meeting, click on The County Channel.