MOWEAQUA, Ill. (WAND) - Many residents in the Village of Moweaqua have concerns over how taxpayer dollars are being spent.
Village leaders discussed finances after discovering that comp time and overtime budgets have been overspent.
"This problem did not happen overnight, and the goal was for the board to work with our auditor and make the necessary changes to correct this," said Mayor Shawn Conlin.
Voters asked the board for answers Tuesday night. One said they received official documents showing Police Chief Christopher Hale has misused comp time, racking up more than $20,000. Residents believe the hours the chief logged do not add up. One resident explained that the comp hours listed add up to 984 hours, leaving a discrepancy of 359 hours.
"The reports for the years '23, '24 and '25 indicate that Chief Hale received 625 comp hours, amounting to a total of $23,339," said one resident during public comment.
The board tabled an agenda item that would change village policies about comp time and overtime. Board members said they need time to review the changes before taking a vote.
"If you're going to change it, it's time to change it and make it right," said chairman Angela Locke.
There will be a meeting with the village auditor to review the payroll on at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 18, but public comment will not be allowed during this meeting. Village leaders said this audit is the first step in solving this financial issue.
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