State Auditor bars state-event refreshments amid spending concerns

Directive comes after $4000 bill scrutinized

(Austin Goss/The Dakota Scout)

PIERRE — The Auditor’s Office says it will no longer reimburse fellow South Dakota agencies who purchase food and beverages for state events amid allegations of wasteful spending.

The directive, which applies to any and all kinds of consumables, was issued just hours after a Board of Finance meeting Tuesday where the Auditor’s Office raised alarm bells about a $4,000 charge from the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration (BHRA) for its annual leadership conference at the Ramkota in Pierre last month.

“In light of today’s Board of Finance meeting and after discussion with Auditor (Rich) Sattgast, NO refreshments of any kind will be allowed to be paid with taxpayer money for any meetings going forward,” the directive reads.

The Board of Finance, which is made up of representatives from the office of every statewide elected officer with the exception of the Public Utilities Commission, along with a person from the Bureau of Finance and Management (BFM) and BHRA, sets reimbursement rates for expenses related to state employees, as well as certain state meals. South Dakota law explains the conditions that are required in order for food and beverage to be reimbursed by the state.

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The meal in question, provided on Sept. 5, included coffee, water, lemonade, fruit, muffins and cookies for a total of $4,068.05.

“We’ve always allowed beverages,” Jenna Latham, audit supervisor in the Auditor’s Office, told the Board of Finance. “This one goes too far. Agencies keep taking more and more.”

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