News Summary
The Cayce City Council is under fire for paying a communications firm over $17,000 without prior council approval. The payment to NP Strategy comes amid concerns about the city’s existing contracts and financial oversight. Council members were unaware of the transaction until it was completed, raising serious questions regarding transparency and adherence to procurement regulations. With ongoing personnel instability in the city, the situation highlights the need for improved financial management and communication within the council.
Cayce – The Cayce City Council is facing scrutiny over its financial management after revelations that the city paid a communications firm, NP Strategy, more than $17,000 for services while already under contract with another firm, MPA Strategies. The payment to NP Strategy totaled $17,725 from late 2023 to early 2024, raising questions about the city’s procurement process and authorization protocols.
Of the total amount paid to NP Strategy, at least $2,100 was earmarked for developing a strategy related to public records requests. The concern stems from the fact that the city had an existing contract with MPA Strategies, a firm led by city spokesperson Ashley Hunter, who has been with the city for over a decade and earns approximately $78,000 annually.
The circumstances surrounding the contract with NP Strategy become even more complicated considering that council members were not made aware of this transaction until after it was executed. City Councilman Phil Carter has expressed disappointment over the lack of communication regarding the expenditure. There was no official vote or council approval for the funds allocated to NP Strategy, which has sparked questions about compliance with city regulations.
Invoices from NP Strategy were directed to the city’s former manager, Tracy Hegler, who resigned in July 2024. According to city ordinances, while a city manager can procure services within the budget, any contracts exceeding $25,000 require city council approval. The amount paid to NP Strategy is just short of this threshold, which raises issues about the necessity of council involvement in this case.
The invoices from NP Strategy detail numerous calls and meetings related to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. For instance, one notable charge of $1,008 on December 13, 2023, pertained specifically to FOIA strategy and messaging. There was also a charge of $87 in April for a brief client call involving a WIS reporter. Additionally, at least seven entries in these invoices indicated discussions concerning an individual referred to as “Chief,” likely in connection with the police department.
During this period, Chris Cowan served as Cayce’s police chief amidst a significant turnover in the department. Cowan’s tenure saw roughly 20% of department employees leave before he ultimately accepted a new position at the University of South Carolina in July 2024. Following Cowan’s exit, the city hired Chief Herbert Blake from Buncombe County, N.C., but he resigned within three months due to allegations regarding the workplace environment.
As the situation continues to evolve, NP Strategy has chosen not to comment on the specific services they provided and instead emphasized their expertise in managing media relations. Nevertheless, the city’s handling of public funds during a period characterized by personnel instability has come under increasing scrutiny, as it raises larger concerns about the integrity of the city’s procurement processes.
In summary, the Cayce City Council is now navigating complex questions surrounding its financial oversight, particularly after revelations of unapproved spending on communications services amid ongoing personnel changes. This situation highlights the critical need for transparency and proper authorization in the management of public resources.
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Additional Resources
- The State: Cayce City Council Financial Scrutiny
- Wikipedia: Public Procurement
- CBS News: Spotting AI Fabricated Footage
- Google Search: Cayce City Council
- WDBJ7: VT Professor on Media Landscape
- Google Scholar: Public Records Requests
- PR Week: Ethical Use of AI Guidelines
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Freedom of Information
- The State: Local News Analysis
- Google News: Public Funds Procurement
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