Zebulon latest community under scrutiny from state auditor
ZEBULON, N.C. (WTVD) -- A new state audit is raising concerns about spending practices in Zebulon, where officials found that a town finance staff member's personal bank account was linked to the town's credit card and nearly $7,000 was spent on an Airbnb rental for an interim town manager.
The findings come as many North Carolina towns are increasing property taxes, prompting heightened scrutiny from the State Auditor's Office.
The audit detailed multiple issues, including the Airbnb rental approved by the town council, which "described the lodging as reasonable."
Residents expressed frustration after learning about the spending.
Robert Hernandez of Zebulon said, "It's too much, way too much."
Another resident, Briana Allen, said, "It seems like our government keeps getting richer and doing shady stuff, and we just get sacked with the bill pretty much."
Zebulon is the latest central North Carolina community to undergo a state audit.
In Cary, auditors reported what they described as a culture of extravagant spending, including high-end meals, travel and $1,600 spent on 10 pairs of custom Ray-Ban sunglasses for council members.
State Auditor Dave Boliek said one Cary retreat cost more than $120,000, including $30,000 for "a documentary-style video on putting on a lip-sync dance routine." He added, "some of this stuff you just can't make up."
Rocky Mount also faced an audit focused on utilities billing after earlier spending concerns. The review found two city council members accumulated thousands of dollars in unpaid utility bills during a temporary billing adjustment period, including one bill totaling more than $27,000. The auditor's office said both were "continuing to receive utility services."
Rocky Mount officials said they appreciated the review, which confirmed customers were not improperly billed, and said improvements will continue.
Boliek said Rocky Mount was "within one fiscal quarter of being dead out of money," adding, "so our audit team was there just in time."
The State Auditor's Office said all towns involved will now be monitored.
Zebulon leaders issued a statement Tuesday saying it "takes the State Auditor's findings seriously" and has launched a dashboard for residents to track improvements.
