Wedowee Utilities Board: Fires, Fraud, and Frustration

0:00Stay informed in two minutes or less with Birmingham News today from the Daily News Now. The Weddewy Town Council met this week to get an update on the troubled Weddewy Utilities Board. Chairman Barry Waldrev shared the latest on finances after an audit uncovered serious issues, including $1.5 million in alleged losses and unpaid taxes. The mayor was removed from the board and part-time bookkeeper Brenda Boone was fired as a result. Earlier this week, Waldrev proposed restoring the original rules and the board's charter to bar any council members or the mayor from serving on in. The council quickly approved that change. He's also pushing for more transparency by gathering documents and sharing them publicly while the new board sorts things out. The Alabama Attorney General's Office is looking into the utility, but no charges have been filed yet. Residents and council members voiced frustration over the mismanagement during the meeting. This flew about who was in charge, especially since Boone handled payroll, but claimed no

1:00authority. Councilman Jerry Huddleston pointed out she skipped filing payroll taxes for 2023, 2024, and 2025, calling. It a major conflict between the town and the utility. Waldrev revealed fresh problems like an employee not paying the full increase on family health insurance premiums, costing thousands. They also can't find loan details for the town's lagoon, which the utility pays for, and there's no lease for the police department sharing the utility building. Unapproved Christmas bonuses were another source spot, with amounts up to $9,500 signed off by the mayor and Boone. Meanwhile, the council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding to clarify duties between the town and utility, like joint bidding for. Insurance and phones to save money. They'll discuss cell phone plans, bank statements, and operating agreements next. Waldrev vows to protect assets and boost oversight moving forward. This episode is brought to you by our sponsor, See the episode description, Relax Deeper,

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