Published: March 31, 2008 10:56 pm         

Housing Authority trying to document spending of almost $1M

TERRE HAUTE — The Terre Haute Housing Authority board of commissioners is trying to get its books in order, including finding paperwork to document the spending of almost $1 million.

“The board of commissioners asked for an in-depth audit” of the Housing Authority’s books, said April Frazier, chairwoman of the board. “Now there are more questions,” she said.

The audit must be turned in to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by June 30, Frazier said.

Two accountants spoke at the Housing Authority board meeting Monday night.

They stressed they did not suspect anyone of wrongdoing, but their findings also did not constitute a complete examination, said Wally Page, a retired Terre Haute accountant who helped conduct the review.

“At this point, we don’t see any sign of anything out of line,” Page said. “It will be straightened out; I’m confident of that.”

The official audit of the Housing Authority’s books is being conducted by Jean Sickels, an accountant in Fredericksburg, Frazier said.

To complicate its efforts, the seven-member Housing Authority board is looking for a new executive director.

The former director, Patrick Barder, served in the position from 1982 until the commissioners voted not to renew his contract Nov. 7. Tim Buddle, director of operations and maintenance for the Housing Authority, is serving as interim director.

Also at Monday night’s meeting, the board discussed efforts to cut expenses. The board moved to cancel “nonessential” services until new contracts for those services can be placed up for bid.

“We are not cutting any residential services or services to tenants,” Frazier said. “A number of services are going to be bid so we can use our tax dollars more efficiently.”

The board moved to put up for bid landscaping and painting services. It also discussed canceling a contract for a fish tank at Garfield Towers.

The Terre Haute Housing Authority is a state agency. It’s seven-member board is appointed by the mayor of Terre Haute.

It has jurisdiction over around 2,000 housing units serving more than 2,000 families, Frazier said.

Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.