The Keokuk County Courthouse in Sigourney, IA.
The Keokuk County Emergency Management Coordinator appeared to short the agency a few thousand dollars when buying a new county vehicle, according to an investigation by State Auditor Rob Sand.
According to the report, in August of 2018, EMA Coordinator Larry Smith was authorized to purchase a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado and trade in the agency’s 2006 Ford F-350. The net purchase price of the new vehicle totaled $35,810, after the Ford was traded in for $800. Smith then bought the Ford back from the dealer on the same day at the same price.
But according to Sand’s analysis, that $800 valuation significantly underestimated the Kelley Blue Book value of the vehicle, which totaled approximately $6,600 to $12,500, and the National Automotive Dealers Association value of between $9,100 and $14,400.