Clerk of Courts Ernie Lee Magaha proved the value of having an independent accounting department. Had Touart & Whitehead been successful in creating their own finance/accounting department – the purchase would have happened under the radar.
Where was the County’s Legal department on this purchase? Why didn’t they object? Do they serve the county or the commissioners and the administrator?
It may be time to draft a code of ethics for county government …hunting trips, land purchases, consulting fees, trips with contractors, etc. Just because something may be legal – doesn’t mean its okay to do.