Former Afton interim city administrator Jim Norman has found himself in some hot water at his current job as the city manager in Albert Lea.
Norman has been charged with a felony count of permitting false claims against government by a public officer, a felony count of theft and a gross misdemeanor charge of misconduct by a public officer.
[...] The city [of Albert Lea] accuses Norman of allegedly charging $2,741 of city money on personal items such as a refrigerator, groceries and a pair of women’s shoes.
[...] Norman claims that his expenses were related to moving expenses that were allowed under his employment agreement with the city.
According to reports, Albert Lea agreed to reimburse Norman up to $5,000 for costs incurred during his move from St. Paul to Albert Lea. The contract detailed moving expenses to include packing, moving, storage, unpacking, insurance, lodging, meals and mileage costs.
During the Afton City Council meeting last week, council members agreed to direct the city accountant to perform a review of accounting records to see if Norman misused any city funds during his two years in Afton.
Afton does not present its employees with a city-issued credit card. The city reimburses its employees.
[...] Even though the [Afton] city council did not have any concerns over Norman’s use of city money during his tenure, the council said they would feel more comfortable looking into it.
“It’s just being responsible managers of public money,” council member Joe Richter said.
Years have passed since Norman's departure from Ramsey effective year end, 2006.
Yet should Ramsey follow Afton's lead? Did James Norman have use of a City of Ramsey credit card, and if so, were his charges all valid, say things he might have put on the card while in China? Or while making his effort to install a Port Authority in Ramsey, which, we all know, has no port? I always wondered about what else Norman might have done besides the high-handed way he operated in the face of open meeting law; his last minute "hurry up it is immediately necessary" way of bulling through last minute things where the council and public did not all know what the full scope of issues and needs were, due to Norman's ways and means of handling duty related to notice. Others in Ramsey might have felt Norman's actions were excusible. I recall, although not online, the ABC Newspapers - Anoka County Union reported at the time Norman's resignation in Ramsey was reported, that Tom Gamec, David Elvig, and David Jeffrey each issued favorable comments to the local press. I would not have said a thing in his favor, but opinions differ.
BOTTOM LINE: Should Ramsey follow Afton's lead, and look back into past records? Or has too much water flowed under the bridge by now? Would it be more costly a step to take than beneficial, in any reasonable cost-benefit balance? Is reassurance to people that the City will be beyond reproach in fiscal dealings worth the retrospective look now, or would City fiscal policing best be directed to more current situations?
Any reader with an opinion is encouraged to leave a reply.
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The latest Albert Lea news reported here and here, is the city council now seeks an "interim" manager while Norman is on leave. It appears possible that the skids in Albert Lea are being greased in a case of possible buyer's remorse. The screenshot is from the first linked report, which also noted the Albert Lea city council is changing procedures regarding city manager fiscal permissions, and, "Any expense of more than $500 will need approval from the city’s Finance Director." The possibility of an internal interim appointment as well as outside recruitment options are reported as under consideration. [as always click on the image to enlarge and read]
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An email from Mayor Ramsey indicated the City of Ramsey had already checked records and found no evidence of wrongdoing. At the time city credit cards were not used. Expenses were reported and reimbursed.