Request for Cooperation Relating to Our Recommended Forensic and Compliance Audit of Smith County Financial Records and Associated Reports

County Judge Franklin and County Commissioners:

You were emailed a copy of our request submitted today to the Council of District Judges and County Auditor Karin Smith.

As a follow up to that letter, please consider this communication as our formal request for

1) full cooperation with County Auditor Karin Smith

2) cessation of any plans to purchase more property that will drain funds needed for county roads – a much higher priority

3) cessation of the reported light rail project that will drain funds needed for county roads – a much higher priority

4) cessation of any new economic development plans that drain funds needed for county roads

5) the freezing of withdrawals from Contingency until the audit has been completed

6) a moratorium on accepting any more roads/streets into the county maintenance inventory until the Commissioners Court a) votes on a detailed plan, budget, and timeline to finish the promised road bond projects and b) votes on a detailed plan, budget, and timeline to conduct a pavement assessment of county roads. Atkins Engineering completed the last assessment of Smith County roads ten years ago and it was a five-year plan!

Thank you for your attention to this serious matter,