Justin P. Wilson, Comptroller
October 24, 2019
BonDeCroft Utility District Officials Received Extra Pay
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has released an investigation of BonDeCroft Utility District in White County, which provides water service to approximately 1,400 customers.
The utility district has a policy permitting employees to cash in (request and receive payment for) unused vacation and sick leave.
Investigators determined the District General Manager and District Field Supervisor did not report and record when they used vacation leave. This created inflated leave balances, which caused the manager and supervisor to receive compensation they were not due when cashing in their vacation days.
Additionally, the district supervisor cashed in sick leave in excess of the 12 days allowed annually by policy. The supervisor exceeded 12 days in three of the four years reviewed, including one year in which he cashed in 30 days.
The BonDeCroft Utility District board of commissioners relieved the manager of his position at the close of business on October 11, 2019. The supervisor was placed on a 90-day disciplinary probation effective October 9, 2019.
“Utility district commissioners must take their oversight role very seriously,” said Comptroller Justin P. Wilson. “Commissioners should periodically review payroll records and bank statements to ensure accountability. A few checks and balances can help identify problems and lead to quicker resolutions.”
The results of this investigation have been shared with the office of the District Attorney General of the 13th Judicial District.
To view the investigative report, go to: https://comptroller.tn.gov/office-functions/investigations/find.html
If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800.232.5454, or file a report online at: www.comptroller.tn.gov/hotline. Follow us on twitter: @TNCOT
