STEELTON, Pa. — In the small town of Steelton, there are big problems with the way money is being handled, according to the town's mayor.
“Whether it’s through grants, whether it’s through property taxes, state, federal level, we are here to serve the residents and if we’re not serving them properly, especially with their finances, we can’t move our community forward," said Steelton Mayor Ciera Dent.
Dent says over the last few years, taxpayer dollars have been misused in multiple ways.
“There’s a lot of overspending when it comes to our contracts, unnecessary consultant fees, legal fees, you name it, it’s astronomical," she said.
That's why Dent is demanding a forensic audit of borough finances, something she first requested from borough council in 2023.
“I’ve spoken with them behind the scenes, I’ve asked for them to make some type of voter decision on it and it still hasn’t been done," she said.
She also believes the borough should be doing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for every contract.
“It makes it more competitive where we’re not just giving a contract to one person," Dent explained. "It gives other people the opportunity to put in a bid for something they may be able to do and they may be able to do at a more reasonable price and I believe we should be doing that with all of our contracts.”
She continued, “We’ve spent a good $1 million just in regards to maybe our top five contracts and consultants and to me, I think that’s just a waste of money. We could be using it somewhere else.”
The third-party audit would show where Steelton's bottom line actually is, by examining the borough's overspending, misappropriation of funds, and contract irregularities.
Dent says the cost of that is well-worth it.
“We’ve had a lot of change in hands, a lot of hands in our money and we should know where that money is going and that it’s being spent properly and we’re not just wasting money that we could be putting somewhere else," she said.
Dent's full statement is below:
"As the Mayor of Steelton Borough, it is my duty to ensure transparency, accountability, and the responsible management of taxpayer dollars. In 2022, financial reviews brought to light significant concerns regarding the borough's spending practices, misappropriation of funds, and irregularities in contract management. Dealing with the absence of a Borough Manager, it was requested to wait until a permanent replacement was done. In August 2023, I advised out then Interim Borough Manager of my concerns and was advised that the concerns would be addressed, this was never done. Now, over a year since that request, I continue to hear of these outdated and continual contracts have cost our borough approximately one million dollars in fees this year alone, placing an unnecessary and unacceptable burden on our residents.
To restore public trust and ensure that every dollar is accounted for, I am formally demanding a comprehensive forensic audit of the borough's finances. This independent review will examine:
1. **Overspending:** Identifying areas where borough resources have been mismanaged or exceeded budgetary limits.
2. **Misappropriation of Funds:** Investigating whether borough funds have been used inappropriately or diverted from their intended purposes.
3. **Contract Irregularities:** Evaluating the awarding, execution, and oversight of contracts to ensure compliance with ethical and legal standards.
The residents of Steelton deserve a clear and honest accounting of how their hard-earned tax dollars have been spent. If misconduct, negligence, or corruption is uncovered, I will not hesitate to take swift and decisive action, including holding those responsible accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Moving forward, I will also assist when needed Borough Council, when needed, with implementing stricter financial controls and safeguards to prevent future abuses. Steelton is a resilient community, and we will overcome these challenges by working together to rebuild trust and ensure financial integrity.
I call on my fellow elected officials, borough staff, and community members to join me in supporting this effort for the good of our borough. Transparency is not just a goal—it is a promise we owe to every resident of Steelton."
Two members of the borough's seven-member council, Julianna Paioletti and Denae house, released a statement Monday, saying they agree with the mayor.
Their full statement is as follows:
"As members of the Borough Council, we stand united with Mayor Ciera Dent in our commitment to transparency, accountability, and the responsible management of public funds. Recent concerns regarding potential misappropriation of funds and irregularities in contract management have been brought to light. After careful consideration, we firmly agree that conducting a forensic audit is not only necessary but essential to restore trust and integrity within our local government.
A forensic audit will provide a thorough and unbiased review of financial transactions, ensuring that every dollar has been handled appropriately and in the best interest of our community. It is our duty to uphold the highest standards of governance and to address any issues that may compromise the financial health or credibility of our Borough.
We understand that this step may raise questions or concerns, but we assure our residents that this action is being taken to protect the long-term stability and transparency of our Borough’s operations. Our shared goal is to ensure that taxpayer funds are managed responsibly and ethically, and we will work tirelessly to hold those accountable for any wrongdoing.
Thank you for your continued support as we take the necessary steps to safeguard our community’s future."
