DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — Residents of Steelton made their concerns heard to the Borough Council on Monday after the borough's mayor alleged the misuse of millions of dollars in funds over previous years.
Mayor Ciera Dent has demanded a forensic audit of borough finances after she said the borough wasted taxpayer dollars on bloated contracts for consultants and law firms.
Residents questioned the council on whether the audit will happen, signaling their support for one even as its cost has come into question by some members of the council.
"My question is, 'Will there be one done?'" one resident said. "I think a lot of taxpayers would rather have it done because, in the long run, it would save us money if there are discrepancies or mistakes."
Members of the council signaled their support for a forensic audit, but some residents and former officials wanted the borough to take a step further and refer the case to the Auditor General's office.
"They will do a performance on this borough at no cost to anybody," said former mayor Maria Marcinko. "So why would you put out an RFP and spend my money on things that you guys are being accused of?"
Mayor Dent says she’s confident that the support from the council will put an end to what she believes is reckless spending.
"If there are things that need to be corrected, that's going to give us the answers that we need," Dent said. "They know that we're going to be transparent, we're going to be honest and they know that we're going to stand up for them in regards to their taxpayer money."