Marshfield Alderman Seeks State Audit For The City
City leaders say Marshfield is in a six-figure financial hole and they can't seem to find a way out. The State Auditor has been asked to examine the city's books.
Marshfield Alderman Bill Schroder tells KTTS News the city went through some major changes back in April, electing a new mayor and two new Aldermen. Schroder says he came on board with some serious questions.
Schroder says the only financial history he could find was from a 2010 audit, which showed Marshfield $500,000 in debt. He says there was no information about 2011 or 2012 to show what, if any, changes were being made.
Schroder says the city had been dipping into reserved funds for general use. He says things like transportation monies had been collected from specific taxes for specific uses, but were instead going into the general fund.
Things are doing better now. Schroder says the city is still $300,000 or so in debt, but is making it month to month. He says Marshfield is barely making any money, but it isn't losing any more of it.
A petition was sent around to try and get an audit by the state. Schroder says he just got a letter back from State Auditor Tom Schweich's office, stating Marshfield's books would be put on the schedule. Schroder says he thinks it'll be in about eight weeks.
Since this audit was prompted by a petition, local taxpayers will wind up footing the bill.
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