Mayor's request for Glenpool audit is pushing forward

An investigation by the state auditor's office could begin for the city of Glenpool in less than a month.

The mayor has been pushing for an audit since October.

His request was denied by city council in a 3-2 vote.

Walking into this Glenpool dinner, you will find Mayor Tommy Carner on a mission.

"Good afternoon. I'd like to know if you all would be interested in signing a petition we have going to get the city audited," Carner said. He's making his way around town to get 566 signatures.

The former mayor and city councilor of 12 years is on board. Charles Campbell says, "if there's been anything wrong, anything illegal, this would certainly disclose it. Also talking about management decisions, if it's been wise for the community or not."

Carner wants the audit to investigate actions of the city government and former council. It would look into possible problems in the bidding process for the new convention center and city hall; possible misuse of public money; and find out just how much debt the city has.

If it is more than the $40 million in bonds. He says, "there are some things I don't like to bring to the table, but that's what I'm here to do. This is one of them that certainly needs to keep going. I know I hear people saying things aren't right, lets get them looked at."

Not all city councilors agree with Carner.

Alyce Korb voted down the audit to save money and fix the policies themselves.

"We have the power to change whatever we don't like and we need to use that power," she says.

Korb says they should move forward from past issues that don't involve this group. "We did talk to the state auditor in a workshop and he was like that's not really good practice but there's nothing illegal. It's not a violation."

The audit would costs between $28,000 and $35,000. It would be paid for from the general fund.

They have until Feb. 22 to get all the signatures.