Clerk of court audit has minor budget findings

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office has issued a report citing the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court’s Office for two infractions.
Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel said the infractions were minor and, as the audit report states, corrective action has been taken and “All requirements of the local government budget act will be followed in the future,” according to the audit report.
According to state requirements, whenever a local government body’s budget ends the year at five or more percent above its budget, the budget must be formally amended.
The clerk of court’s budget was six percent over budget because of one-time expenses involved with making improvements in the clerk’s office, Deshotel said, adding that the budget has been formlly amended.
The audit report also cited the clerk of court’s office for turning in the budget after the deadline for submitting the budget had passed. Deshotel said the budget was about two weeks past the deadline.
The audit report also stated the clerk of court budget “was not made available for public inspection and was not advertised in the official journal.” Deshotel said the budget’s availability was advertised and was available for public inspection, but after the deadline set for doing so.
Deshotel also said his office has hired a CPA to ensure infractions do not happen in the future.