Institute Volunteer Fire Department Audited

{West Virginia}...State auditors made recommendations that the Institute Volunteer Fire Department reimburse the state, cease writing checks for cash and have an independent accountant inspect the department's books after an audit showed a former treasurer cashed checks for $1,221 for unknown purposes and another $380 was improperly spent between 2009 and 2010. The audit further states that a former treasurer went against the department's policy by cashing checks with only his signature, although the department requires checks to be signed by two people. Another $378 was used to pay for cable bills. That's not permitted under state rules. According to the audit, fire department officials have agreed with the findings and will move to implement the recommendations. Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper says the county gives Institute VFD about $20,000 per year, and the alleged fraud is a serious matter that the county will monitor. Institute resident Bill Raglin, who also sits on the Kanawha County Board of Education, has been pushing for the city of Dunbar to annex the unincorporated area. He says city oversight could have helped in this situation.