Billing mistake almost costs school $83,000 Treasurer's office blames human error

September 15, 2000

By JENNIFER DAVIS of the Journal Star

PEORIA - At first, John Link was told his small grade school owed $18,630 back to the Peoria County treasurer.

"Then, unfortunately, matters got worse before they got better," said Link, superintendent of Hollis Consolidated Grade School District 328, noting that he later was told he'd have to repay about $63,000 in overpaid property tax receipts.

Worse yet, just last week, Peoria County Treasurer Edward "Tripp" O'Connor gave Link another, larger figure.

"They brought a document to our meeting that showed we owed $83,000," Link said.

But, after checking his own records, Link discovered he doesn't owe the treasurer one dime.

In fact, "They now owe me $18,630. Apparently, the tables have turned."

"We believe that was a one- time, isolated human error," said deputy county treasurer Lyle McClellan.

But to many, it looks like another in a long list of bureaucratic bungles that likely span years.

O'Connor wasn't in the office Thursday afternoon to comment, but his office has been criticized for lax accounting - including not keeping a daily ledger of millions in tax revenue. This year, the office will collect an estimated $140 million in tax revenue.

"There is nothing more important than the arrangement of the finances at the county," state's attorney and acting county administrator Kevin Lyons told the County Board this week.

"This is something I address every single day, and my days are very full these days."

Not only has he set deadlines to correct 17 deficiencies, some of which he won't identify, but Lyons also has hired an independent accountant to oversee the fixes.

He also told the board this week that he's seen "substantial progress."

Still, Link is glad he didn't take O'Connor's word that he owed $83,000 - even though O'Connor had documentation backing up the claim.

"I did my own investigation because I couldn't believe that I'd get an extra $83,000 and not know it," Link explained.

Sure enough, he found the actual check that showed $83,000 being paid back in May 1996.

His was not the only school asked to repay thousands from years past because of computer errors.

Barbara Suelter, associate superintendent at Limestone Community High School District 310, says her district supposedly owes $53,000. Like Link, she plans to make sure she hasn't already paid it back.

"We just haven't had time yet to check that out," she said. "We have to go back through some old records." McClellan, however, is confident Link's school was an exception.

"The other situations are different in nature than what (Link's) was," McClellan said.

Said Link, "I'm just glad we saved $83,000 ... I just hope they get things straightened out down there."

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-- Doris (reaper@pacifier.com), September 15, 2000