BEATRICE – The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission has levied a civil penalty against the City Administrator of Beatrice and approved a settlement agreement involving improper use of city funds to purchase a voter registration list from the Gage County Clerk’s office.

The commission levied a civil penalty of $1,000 against Tobias Tempelmeyer and Tempelmeyer has reimbursed the City of Beatrice, $270.36.

On October 22^nd, the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission voted 6-0 to approve the settlement agreement. It was alleged the money spent to purchase the voter registration list, and which was repaid to the city, was in violation of state law.

Tempelmeyer told the commission it was not his intent to violate the law but agreed that there was sufficient evidence that the commission could find that a violation took place. He opted not to contest the matter.

Beatrice Mayor Stan Wirth said Tempelmeyer sought the voter registration list to aid the city as it was setting up hauling routes for its new Midwest Area Refuse Solutions Garbage Service….which began operation in the spring.

The maximum civil penalty is $5,000, but the commission agreed to set the penalty at $1,000 because of Tempelmeyer’s intention to resolve the matter promptly.

The investigation that resulted in the settlement and civil penalty began on August 10^th. The commission approved the settlement agreement on a vote of 6-0.