By JESSICA MILLER, Courier Staff Writer ELDORA --- The former director of an area landfill, accused in a state audit report of taking improper and unauthorized payments, has retained an attorney to respond to the allegations.

Jim Meade, who worked for the Rural Iowa Waste Management Association, said in a letter that he cooperated fully in an investigation into spending at the landfill in Owasa. The association's board, which operates the landfill between Eldora and Iowa Falls, represents Wright, Hardin and Butler counties. The group requested the investigation after a law firm in Des Moines found questionable expenditures. State auditors released the report about the landfill Oct. 10. It said they found more than $156,000 in improper or questionable spending at the landfill located in Hardin County from 1999 through 2004.

Meade said he cooperated fully with state investigators.

"I did so because I have engaged in no irregularities or improprieties and felt confident that the state auditors investigation would so find," Meade wrote.

The audit stated Meade was given improper reimbursements, unauthorized salary payments, and given improper resignation pay.

Meade retained attorney Maggi Moss, in Des Moines, to refute all claims.

"She vigorously disagrees with any findings that suggest or infer misconduct on my part," Meade wrote.

In the letter he specifically denied that payments for a grant, additional pay or the termination agreement were improper.

The state auditor's report asserts that between September 2003 and January 2005, Meade received checks totaling $5,260 as administrator of the landfill that should have gone to the landfill. The report argues that administering the grant was in his job duties; Meade says it was not.

Instead, the director of Butler County Solid Waste Commission applied for the grant and offered Meade $300 a month for services. Meade agreed to do the work outside his regular work hours at the landfill.

The report said Meade added more money to his paychecks than he was supposed to. According to the report Meade was allowed $50 a month for personal and family insurance purposes and that he increased his pay $108 per month.

"For whatever reason, however, the report failed to take into consideration the other allowances I received under my employment contract," Meade wrote.

He was allowed a clothing allowance of $100 per year and vehicle maintenance of $600 per year.

He also refuted claims about questionable payment upon his resignation as director of the association. He said the association agreed to pay $47,000. Meade said it was similar to benefits that former directors had received and that he also contacted Jim Brick, the association's attorney.

Meade also disclosed his termination agreement with the board. The agreement was made in closed session discussions, which are ordered to be taped under Iowa law. Association members and Meade said the meeting was recorded, but that tape disappeared. The audit said that the association did not have a written termination policy and also said that the terms of the contracts were not in the best interest of the landfill.

"The board was aware of all benefits, and I received no benefit that was not first approved by the board," Meade wrote.

Contact Jessica Miller at (319) 291-1581 or e-mail jessica.miller@wcfcourier.com .

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