Shane Pippin
Staff Writer
The Bell County Sheriff’s Office has another positive audit in the books.
The office, with its latest report, has now recorded 11 consecutive audits with no more than one recommendation from the state auditor. And, that, according to Stephenie Steitzer, communications director for State Auditor of Public Accounts Adam Edelen, is the standard for sheriff’s offices.
This, she said, is where the sheriff’s offices “should be,” saying the Bell County sheriff and his staff seem to be doing things with continued accuracy.
Bennett said his goal as sheriff, as much as fighting crime and protecting the county’s citizens, is to keep his office “above reproach” and “without blemish” when it comes to the handling of finances in his office.
Bennett said he is proud to have been sheriff for 11 years and never had an “infraction” listed by the auditor.
“We pride ourselves on keeping a clean audit, and our audits have always been clear of wrongdoing,” said Bennett.
All sheriff’s offices are audited annually by the state auditor’s office.
Donna Sowders, chief clerk for the sheriff’s office, said, “The offices here have worked 11 straight years collecting taxes with no monies coming up short. The sheriff comes in over here to review and initial all daily checkout sheets and deposits.”
Bennett has more than 40 years of experience in law enforcement, having served in various roles, including federal positions and even working as a U.S. Marshal.
Reach Shane Pippin at 606-248-1010 ext 204, mpippin@civitasmedia.com
Use it! You should at the very least be making at least one drug bust a week also. I mean a big one. Not pulling someone over and just getting a handful of pills out of them every other day. That is how I would clean things up in Bell County. The pill problem must be fixed FIRST. Then the other problems will be easier to take on.