TAMPA -- One day into the job, Hillsborough County's new elections chief offered an unsettling description of her office.

Supervisor of Elections Phyllis Busansky told county commissioners today that financial records in the office are in "tremendous disarray.

"We have no idea how much money has been spent and how much is owed," Busansky said.

Busansky's chief of staff, Craig Latimer, said financial records were scattered around the supervisor's Falkenburg Road office, in boxes on the floor and stacks on desks. Bank statements were found wrapped with rubberbands.

They offered those descriptions after commissioners were briefed on an audit of the office ordered after Busansky's predecessor, Buddy Johnson, asked for a $2.3-million bailout last month. Director of County Audit Dan Pohto told commissioners he was unable to validate Johnson's rationale for the request.

Pohto told commissioners that Johnson's chief of staff never returned messages from him after commissioners voted to conduct the audit. An office accountant canceled an initial meeting then provided limited documentation when they did get together.

That stoked a raft of heated commentary from commissioners.

"The results of this audit are embarrassing," said Commissioner Rose Ferlita.

Commissioners voted 7-0 to give the elections office $336,000 from reserves to pay for overtime expenses from the November election that Pohto said he was able to validate.

-- Bill Varian, Times staff writer