Audit sparks Cairo government fireworks

CAIRO, Ill. -- A long-delayed audit of the city books is finally in the hands of Cairo officials, but the manner of its delivery has opened another fight for embattled Mayor Paul Farris.

During a regular council meeting that again accomplished little, Farris accused auditor David D. Seabaugh of Cape Girardeau of shirking his duties and rudely dumping the audit reports and city records unannounced at Cairo City Hall.

"He refused to perform his function as auditor and he will be dealt with," Farris said.

The audit report covers the period from May 1, 2002, to April 30, 2003. Copies of the audit were not made available to the Southeast Missourian at the meeting.

Seabaugh, a CPA with Beussink, Hey, Roe, Seabaugh and Stroder LLC, delivered the audit on April 13, the same day as a Southeast Missourian article describing criticisms of Seabaugh by Farris and city attorney Alan McIntyre.

In a letter April 18, Farris wrote to Seabaugh that the manner of the audit delivery indicates a desire to resign as Cairo's city auditor.

"By your actions, attitude and failure to cooperate with this administration, your resignation as auditor is implied," Farris wrote. "The resignation of your auditing firm in any and all capacity, in regards to the City of Cairo, is happily accepted."

In a reply written April 21, Seabaugh denied he intended to resign. During work on the audit, he said he strove to do everything requested "and have attempted, in every professional manner, to work with you and the council."

Seabaugh could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening.

During a brief discussion of the audit, Seabaugh was defended by two council members, Bobby Whitaker and Carolyn Ponting. Both said they believe he and his firm acted professionally and praised its 20 years of work as the city's auditor.

"I always thought they were an upstanding group of men," Ponting said.

The dispute with Seabaugh adds to the list of Farris's ongoing fights. During the meeting Tuesday, four council members locked in unrelenting conflict with Farris sat silent, refusing to vote on most agenda items.

While Ponting repeatedly bemoaned the lack of cooperation, Whitaker, Sandra Tarver, Linda Jackson and Elbert "Bo" Purchase remained quiet. Farris, meanwhile, read each agenda item, ignoring the cold shoulder, and then announced: "Fails for lack of a motion."

The four council members did agree to revise a resolution passed April 11 for purchasing a fire truck with borrowed funds. But otherwise, they either exchanged insults with Farris or ignored him.

Important city business is going by the wayside during such sessions, including the acceptance of grant money, a change in the town's cable television provider and a $142,000 bill for unpaid health insurance premiums.

After the meeting, Whitaker said Farris is upset because the audit doesn't give him proof of wrongdoing prior to the time he assumed office on May 1, 2003.

"This man wanted them to create something that wasn't there," Whitaker said. "He is obsessed with what the past administration did."

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126