According to Mayor Serafino Nolletti, the city has already been admonished for buying funeral flowers out of the city funds. He said he expects the state auditor's office to come down on the city for paying for dinners with city funds.
"They could say something to us when the audit is through," Nolletti said.
"They said we can't buy flowers for deaths and for the families," Nolletti said. "Like when Sis Ware died or when (former) Mayor Claude died."
The city reportedly paid nearly $2,000 to the previous owners of Fat Jack's for a dinner for deceased Mayor Claude Ellis's family shortly after his death.
The city also reportedly paid nearly $800 to 317 Steakhouse - owned by City Councilman Greg Glick - for a sendoff dinner for then-outgoing City Councilman Les Goldie.
"We probably shouldn't have done that," Nolletti said, noting that it may have been a conflict of interest to buy goods and services from an elected city official's business.
In addition to the city paying for funeral flowers out of city funds, the city also bought roses for the Logan High School cheerleaders last year when they qualified for the state cheer competition.
"They have said stuff about flowers, but they haven't said anything about that particularly," Nolletti said.
Nolletti said the city has already cut its spending.
"We've already tightened up," Nolletti said.
Nolletti said City Clerk Amber Gore made the payments with approval by former Mayor Ellis, but she doesn't have an open checkbook to spend from the general fund on anything and everything.
"It's not illegal when we buy turkeys and hams and when the city gives bonuses - but it is a state code infraction," Nolletti said. "We really aren't supposed to be doing that."
Reportedly, the city gives Gore several thousand dollars every year to put on the Freedom Festival. This year, according to a report to The Logan Banner, the city spent $6,000 on the tiger show that was featured as part of the festival. That report has not been confirmed nor denied as of this morning.
The Freedom Festival is not a function of the city, but is a function created and operated by City Clerk Gore, who is reportedly paid directly as a separate business by all vendors and contest entrants. Reportedly, all contest entrance fees - including this year's $75 pageant entrance fee - are to be made payable directly to Amber Gore.
City Accountant Jeff Valet said he is not privy to what was discussed between the state auditors and the mayor. He said he is working with the state to provide them with the paper work they need.
When asked if there would be any more dinners or roses paid for by the city, Nolletti answered: "We'll see about that."
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