Summerfield moves forward with audit after assessment shows possible mismanagement of town records

The Summerfield Town Council is hiring an auditor to review its IT system records. It was prompted by concerns about potential mismanagement of municipal data by former staff.

The move marks the latest chapter in longstanding internal strife between Summerfield officials. Last year, then-Town Manager Scott Whitaker was informed his contract would not be renewed. The town's staff would later resign in protest.

Things quieted down as Summerfield hired new employees to fill the positions. But last month former state auditor Beth Wood, who was hired to review the town's records, told the Council that months' worth of data during Whitaker's tenure was missing. She also alleged financial mismanagement by former staff members. Wood recommended the town hire a firm to complete a full forensic IT audit.

Whitaker and former Town Finance Officer Dee Hall have denied any wrongdoing.

In a statement, Mayor Tim Sessoms criticized the assessment, saying it was unnecessary and that the accused former employees weren't given a chance to respond.

But the Town Council on Tuesday voted 4-1 to hire Greensboro-based Advanced Technology Investigations to do the forensic IT audit. It's expected to cost $10,000 and take around four weeks to complete.

Council Member Jonathan Hamilton was one of the yes votes.

"We have to make sure that there's been no data lost," Hamilton said. "We want to verify the integrity of our records. This step will help our new administration, I think, be fully prepared and equipped to serve."

Council Member John Doggett voted against the move. He said former IT Manager Bill Stone's explanation of the missing data was satisfactory.

"Instead of allocating funds to investigate an already clarified issue, we should focus on financing projects we have initiated and are currently trimming costs on," Doggett said.

A separate agenda item to proceed with a financial investigation was tabled.