Keep an eye on commissioners' credit card use

The Pinellas County Commission sensibly voted 5-1 this week to adopt a more stringent policy regarding the use and oversight of government-issued credit cards that each commissioner carries. The lone holdout? Commissioner Norm Roche, of course, whose irresponsible expenditures with his county-issued credit card prompted his colleagues to create the tougher policy.

Roche ran into trouble with his government credit card when he cavalierly used it to pay $250 to a private company to clear away debris at an abandoned home, a violation of the county charter and the county's purchasing policies. But he also bypassed government purchasing policies to use his card to spend $2,605 at a local consignment shop for his office furniture. Only Roche doesn't understand the obvious problem.

Under the new rules, the card will be used only for travel expenses on official business and registration for training seminars. The commission would have the final say in determining whether a board member abused his or her government credit card. Commissioners found in violation of the new policy could have their card taken away and be required to reimburse the county. The commission could start now by sending Roche a bill for $2,855.

Roche complained a commissioner had slandered him and invited a grand jury to determine whether he has broken any laws. That's tempting but unnecessary in this case. The commission has responded responsibly to Roche's credit card use, which was improper regardless of his intentions. It's up to Roche to accept that he must follow the same rules as every other county commissioner.