(KLZA)-- In a letter addressed to Nemaha County Commission Chairman Mike Weiss and Nemaha Rural Fire District 4 Chairperson Chris Stevenson, the Nebraska Auditors Office has disclosed the discovery of alleged unauthorized use of Nemaha County fuel pumps by the Nemaha Rural Fire District 4 and District 1 County Commissioner Mike Hall, who also serves as Fire Chief for the Fire District which is in the community of Nemaha.

The letter alleges that State Auditor Mike Foley's audit team had photographs of Hall using a county gas pump to fill his personal pickup after midnight on March 24, 2025.

In addition, the audit team receive allegations that Nemaha County owned fuel pumps in District 1 were used by unauthorized individuals with several photographs taken on March 24, 2025 showing five other vehicles, all appearing to belong to the Fire District being fueled at the County pumps.

Several years ago the report says Hall approved use of the fuel pumps by the Fire District as long as a log showing the usage was maintained and the Fire District would occasionally pay to refill the fuel pumps. However, no formal, written agreement was signed between the County and the Fire District regarding use of the pumps.

In the letter, dated May 23 of this year, the State Auditors Office noted that because the issue addressed in the audit, constitutes a possible violation, the information is to be forwarded to the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission for further review.

The Auditors office recommended Nemaha County implement procedures to ensure that County fuel pumps are used only to fill County vehicles, and personal use of County fuel pumps is strictly prohibited.

The letter also notes that if it can be shown the Mr. Hall intentionally misused the County fuel pump for personal gain, such actions may give rise to serious legal concerns.

Logs reviewed as a part of the audit indicate the Fire District has used a total of 826.7 gallons of fuel, consisting of 634.2 gallons of diesel and 192.5 gallons of gasoline from the County's pumps since 2021.

On May 21, Nemaha County Commissioners approved execution of an interlocal agreement between the County and the Nemaha Fire District for fuel cost, usage, and reconciliation.

The Auditors report says fuel pumps in Commission Districts 2 and 3 are padlocked and can only be unlocked by certain County employees while the fuel pumps in District 1 are controlled by a power switch inside the county-owned shop.