Auburn clinic cited for improper fund use

MONTGOMERY, ALA. — Auburn University was criticized in a report by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts for not properly documenting revenues from pet-food sales at its small-animal hospital. The report also questioned the use of some of those funds.

It indicates the clinic used the monies for a discretionary fund during the audit period, October 2004 to September 2005. It said more than $8,000 was spent on food, flowers, alcohol and gift purchases, all ruled to be improper use of public funds.

Going forward, the clinic can no longer perform cash sales of pet food, must follow a new pre-numbered receipt program and has new supervision channels in place.

Funds deemed to be spent improperly were repaid to the university. No penalty was imposed.