The city treasurer's office is under investigation for possible misuse of city funds.
During an annual review of city finances, independent auditors for the city identified serious accountability problems with overdue utility payments handled in the treasurer's office. The audit showed some residents had not paid past utility bills when they had.The Utah County attorney's office and Lehi Mayor Bill Gibbs are investigating the matter.
The amount of money unaccounted for has not be determined, Gibbs said.
"The auditors haven't given us a firm number," he said. "The problem goes back a long ways, probably three or four years."
Gibbs was given several possible amounts but would not disclose them, saying it might harm the investigation.
Lehi does not have a computerized cash receipting system. But the investigation has accelerated the installation of a new system set to go on line in January. Gibbs said the lost funds will not put the city in a financial bind.
"It won't affect the city; we're still operating," he said. "We can't do anything with something we didn't have."
Gibbs will not release the names of the person or persons under investigation although he said disciplinary action has been taken against one employee.
"No one has been terminated yet," Gibbs said, noting that at least one termination, possibly more, is likely.
"The whole office staff will be investigated by the time we are through," Gibbs said.
In a letter to the city, Gibbs is asking residents to bring in past utility receipts or canceled checks to show payment so the city can clean up any misunderstandings.
"Many of our citizens have received utility bills showing lack of past payments. In the vast majority of cases, our citizens have paid those bills," Gibbs said.
A follow-up letter will be sent in the next billing to residents stating the problems and concerns of the city.