Robbins is repaying

An audit of the Boyle County Sheriff’s Office shows that the first paycheck for Boyle County Sheriff Derek Robbins was paid from the fee account of former Sheriff Marty Elliott, which will require being reimbursed, due to a “bookkeeping error.”

The audit was released on Tuesday, from the office of State Auditor Mike Harmon, and said, “The payment from the wrong sheriff’s account was a bookkeeping error stemming from the transition to a new sheriff.”

Due to the error, Robbins was paid a salary exceeding the statutorily maximum salary set by the Department for Local Government by $3,091 — the amount from the one pay period paid from the former account.

“When a new fee official takes office, the office is required to separate receipts and expenses incurred by each official, including payroll,” the document states.

The recommendation was for Robbins to repay to fiscal court for the overpayment, in order to finalize the accounts of Elliott.

Former Sheriff Elliott responded to the audit, stating that it had been adequately explained.

Robbins said via phone on Wednesday, “It was just a clerical error.” He’s paying the money back, as recommended.