BLOOMFIELD —
Recent questions about money matters at the Bloomfield Volunteer Fire Department have created some concern among residents.
Is something wrong? The department has received attention due to some recent changes, including the retirement of longtime Bloomfield Fire Chief Bobby Hougland.
“Then, Craig [Scott] resigned from the city council [to become] the interim chief,” said Carol Taylor, Bloomfield city clerk.
That means the department is still up and running just fine, she said.
When told some residents, including a concerned reader, believed there had been a recent audit which was not being shared with the public, Taylor addressed the first part.
“There was a special audit done on the volunteer fire department,” she said Thursday. “It was ordered by the city attorney and all copies rest with him.”
She would not speculate on why the audit was ordered.
Bloomfield City Attorney Michael Moreland said he could not comment on why the audit was done, although he did clarify one point. He said the examination of funds was not an audit but was instead “a review of financial transactions.“
That review is not something that would be considered a public document, he said. But it turns out getting that specific sheet of paper may be irrelevant for concerned voters.
“We’re [currently completing] our annual Bloomfield audit,” Taylor said.
That document, she said, is a public one. It should give citizens a snapshot of what Bloomfield’s finances look like.
The routine audit, a regular check of finances, includes information from all city departments. Taylor would not discuss whether or not, at this point, she had reason to believe something was amiss or if she’d noticed anything strange.
“Our audit should be released to the public around the end of this month,” she said.
Finding a permanent candidate for the part-time fire chief job should also start soon. Or, explained Taylor, restart soon.
Firefighters had taken issue with a help-wanted ad the city had posted for the vacancy. It had a list of qualifications the new chief would need and the duties to be accomplished by the new chief.
At one city council meeting, several volunteers asked if the city should have checked with firefighters before coming up with a list of requirements. The city agreed unanimously.
Taylor said city officials have now met with some representatives from the ranks of Bloomfield’s firefighters.
“We reviewed the fire chief job description and made a few changes,” she said. “Then, we’ll go through the [help-wanted] process all over again.”
Local News
Questions arise over Bloomfield audit
Changes in fire department bring attention to issue
- Local News
-
-
Bridge work will close trails section
The closure of the trails between Black Lake and Mary Street is expected to remain in effect through November.
-
PHOTOS: Fire and Ice — Raising funds for smoke detectors
Cooper Chickering, 3, of Ottumwa, enjoys the “ice” part of the “Fire and Ice” event, while Ottumwa Master Firefighter Bill Keith shows a crowd the “fire” part of the fundraiser, which raises money to buy smoke detectors for Ottumwans who need them.
-
Ottumwa schools toughen Internet policy
This week, the Ottumwa school board adopted a new policy for Internet use in the district. The new policy fits with The Children’s Internet Protection Act, a federal regulation tied to government funding.
-
‘A peek behind the curtains:’ Weekend events gear community to check out trails, downtown
This weekend's events to benefit the trails and educate the community of what’s new and changing downtown include the annual Tips for Trails at the Tom Tom Tap and the mediathon to raise money for the Wapello County Trails Council.
-
Eisenhower bridge repair in the works
Insurance companies are still hammering out final reimbursements after a truck hauling a wide-load wind turbine struck the Eisenhower Pedestrian Bridge in April 2011. The city also finalized severing ties with Centerplace and blasts the company's management of Bridge View Center.
-
Cremer takes command of Veterans Affairs office
The Wapello County Board of Supervisors has approved hiring Marty Cremer of Agency as the county’s new Veterans Affairs director. Dan Hoy, the outgoing director, told the board his last day will be Friday.
-
PHOTO: Rewarding field day at Wildwood
Students at Wildwood Elementary School reap the rewards of collecting Box Tops worth more than $2,000. The school had 12 activity stations Monday at its Field Day, where Wildwood alumni came back to help the kids have fun.
-
Ottumwa school district, teachers agree on contract
The Ottumwa school district approved the 2012-13 Master Contract for teachers on a unanimous vote.
-
IHCC eyes 2012-13 budget estimates
A potential state funding increase could add $800,000 in new money to the Indian Hills Community College's bank account next year. On the other hand, an estimated decrease in student population may reduce funds by about $800,000.
-
Gothic House Center has new outdoor exhibit area
Four outdoor panels will be available to visitors who stop by when the American Gothic House Center is closed. One panel features the history of the American Gothic House, and the others are about Grant Wood’s painting, his life and the impact of this painting.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Bridge work will close trails section
