Expense Check Is $84.51

Jasper County has issued an expense check to Commission Chairman Jack Bernard for $84.51.
The check replaces the initial expense check for $250.29 that was issued to Mr. Bernard earlier this month.

Bernie Fontaine, Special Assistant to the Jasper County Board of Commissioners, issued a new reimbursement policy after The News raised the issue of the commissioners being reimbursed for items contrary to county policy and state law, such as in-county travel.

Once the error was found, Mr. Fontaine withheld the expense checks for Mr. Bernard and Commissioner Bob Yarbrough. Mr. Fontaine said he would re-figure the amount and issue new checks.

Mr. Yarbrough had already received one check, and it was not clear if his expense reimbursement has been straightened out yet. Mr. Fontaine was not available to discuss it late Tuesday or Wednesday.