Hays County Commissioners To Accept Delivery Of Internal Examination Reports For DA’s Drug Forfeiture Fund, Elections Office

Staff Reports

The Hays County Commissioners Court is slated to accept the delivery of the internal examination reports for the District Attorney’s Drug Forfeiture Fund Account and the Elections Office today.

The internal audit was performed in accordance with subsection 115.0035 of the Texas Local Government Code and article 59.06 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

The Texas Local Government Code requires that a county auditor examines the records of county offices once every quarter.

According to the agenda, the attached annual Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 59 Asset Forfeiture Fund report is for the period of September 1, 2017, to August 31, 2018.

The internal examination consisted of a review of deposits, disbursements and other supporting documentation.

The report states multiple errors were identified with Asset Forfeiture disbursements and agreed on final judgments.

The reports also provide recommendations from the auditor’s office to prevent errors and improve accuracy.

According to the agenda, the auditor’s office found several internal control issues in the Elections Office’s management for the period of January 1, 2017, to May 31, 2018. 

These internal control issues were insufficient segregation of duties, lack of a written cash handling procedure manual, receipts missing required information, inadequate safeguarding and others.

The reports include statements from the Elections Administrator and District Attorney Wes Mau on each of the points observed by the auditor’s office.

The statements include comments on how procedures, policy and management have been changed in the office since the reviewed period.

In other news, the long-awaited new live streaming equipment installation for the Commissioners Courtroom has been delayed.

Hays County has experienced a “major water leak” in the Commissioners Courtroom at the Historic Courthouse in Downtown San Marcos.

According to officials, the leak is requiring long-term repairs forcing Commissioners Court to be moved to the Hays County Government Center until further notice; the installation of the streaming equipment has been postponed until the water leak is repaired.

No estimate is available as of yet on when the repairs will be finished and the installation of the equipment will be able to resume. 

County officials said they are still in the process of receiving quotes for the repairs. 

Commissioners will meet at 9 AM at the Hays County Government Center in Courtroom #10 this week. Attendees are advised to allow of extra time in order to go through security.

The meeting will be live-streamed on the Hays County, Texas – Official Facebook page.