The non-profit dates as far back as 1999.
Interim Director Jim McCaskill was to offer information concerning the Richmond County Enrichment Corporation’s tax status as a non-profit. Information was provided to board members in their packets.
As McCaskill introduced the information in his staff report, Voorhees suggested the discussion be tabled for a closed session.
“It may be appropriate to wait for closed session,” he said. “I have some information on that.”
McCaskill replied what he had was appropriate for the public record, and told board members his investigation into the Richmond County Empowerment Corporation found it administered more programs than previously known.
“This appears to have been the official non-profit of the Rockingham Housing Authority,” he said. “The officers of this non-profit organization came from this board, and it was created by resolutions passed by this board.”
The discussion was then tabled to be discussed in a two-hour closed session.
In other business:
n The search for a permanent replacement for former RHA Director Gracie Ingram is under way.
The board unanimously adopted a proposal to use Marquee Specialized Staffing to conduct the search. They will be paid 10 percent of what the person will earn in a year.
McCaskill said has enough to do without the responsibility, and using an outside agency would insulate the board from charges of nepotism or favoritism.
“Obviously, a lot of people in the area are aware of the job opening and the salary (former Director Gracie Ingram) received, and it’s viewed as a great job opportunity,” McCaskill said. “Ed (Ormsby) said that before he left the board he’d received some phone calls saying ‘Guess how good I would be for that job!’ It would take a huge burden off of the board’s back.”
Chairwoman Denise Sullivan and board member Joe Mendola both questioned whether local people would have the opportunity to apply, to which Broadway said the position would be advertised in the local paper.
n McCaskill also presented corrective actions taken in response to a 2008 audit of the RHA.
McCaskill said there has been an account opened for tenant security deposits and the minutes from the meetings of the board are now being signed. Work is going on to make sure previously unsigned low-income housing lease agreements are signed.
In addition, the audit criticized the communication between the director and the fee department. McCaskill said he had been in touch with Winston Salem-based fee accountant John Grossi, who had tendered his resignation at the June meeting.
“He said that he has seen enough changes in the last couple of months to where he may be able to stay on,” McCaskill said. “He apparently had a change of heart.”
n McCaskill also presented the board with correspondence from the 21st Century Program concerning missing laptop computers.
He said the RHA will reimburse the program for the three laptops that were missing from its inventory at a rate of $150 each.
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