VIENNA — Maries County commissioners heard from part-time Vienna License Office employee Sabrina Plumb Monday morning as she officially resigned from her position, bringing attention to commissioners the challenges she said occurred during her employment, including concerns about the license office deposit book not being balanced. Plumb entered the open county meeting aware that her comments would be public.

When she entered, Plumb closed the door behind her, prompting Eastern District Commissioner Doug Drewel to comment.

“It makes no sense closing the door, they’re going to put it in the paper, as long as you know that,” Drewel said.

Plumb said, “That’s fine.”

Plumb said she wanted commissioners to be aware of ongoing issues within the office before she left.

“I think that you need to know what I have to say about that office before I leave,” Plumb said.

She raised concerns about financial record-keeping.

“Your deposit book…last time she told me about it, over a year ago…said it was $10,000 over,” Plumb said. “If your auditors come in and find that you’re screwed.”

Plumb also expressed frustration with training and work conditions under her supervisor, Vienna License Office manager Tiffany Kelley.

“Is it true that we struggle because we don’t have state training? Yes, we do,” Plumb said. “I am going to go grab my stuff and leave. I cannot work there anymore, it’s not a good situation down there.”

Plumb received a group text from Kelley at 3 a.m. on Dec. 8, that entailed an apology from the office head about missing work due to an illness.

“I got a message at three o’clock last night, three o’clock in the morning...three in the morning,” Plumb said. “I thought something was wrong. haven’t opened it but it was a page long message about how she’s sick and just she’s sorry.”

Kelley said there is not a texting policy in place within the office outside work hours.

“The only policy we have here at the license office is do not text when you are with customers,” Kelley said.

Commissioners responded with a mix of apology and discussion about next steps. Presiding Commissioner Vic Stratman thanked Plumb for coming forward and apologized for the experience she had.

Plumb left commissioners with a final note of appreciation before she left.

“I want you to know I appreciate everything that you guys have done for me and my employment,” Plumb said.

After she left, commisioners discussed hiring an auditor for the license office in response to Plumb’s concerns.

“Sooner or later it needs to be balanced,” Western District Commissioner Pat Kleffner said.

Stratman had similar thoughts.

“Do we need to get that audited?” Stratman asked fellow commissioners.

Eastern District Commissioner Doug Drewel agreed.

“I think so, It’d be a really good time because you got people that’s leaving and they just hired a new person. And it’s right at the end of the year, before the budget comes out. We just need to see if everything’s on track,” Drewel said.

Commissioners also discussed more office training as they move forward.

Kelley said the last audit was conducted three to four years ago for the license office. Stratman is looking into the matter and has contacted certified public accountants (CPAs) about auditing services.