Non Profit and County Relationship

[Satchmo]

Michigan

A new local non profit would like the county government to be the fiduciary agent of the non profit. Specifically, the non profit would like to contract with the county for the accounting duties (maintaining accounts, paying bills, and recieving payments/gifts/contributions). Can anyone offer some insight to the legality of this proposed relationship? Some thoughts if you were the county's attorney.

 

[seniorjudge]

Michigan

A new local non profit would like the county government to be the fiduciary agent of the non profit. Specifically, the non profit would like to contract with the county for the accounting duties (maintaining accounts, paying bills, and recieving payments/gifts/contributions). Can anyone offer some insight to the legality of this proposed relationship? Some thoughts if you were the county's attorney.

If I were the county attorney, I would politely decline your request by saying that the taxpayers' dollars may not be used for private purposes.

 

[Satchmo]

If I were the county attorney, I would politely decline your request by saying that the taxpayers' dollars may not be used for private purposes.

Thankfully I am the county. And while I may not have been clear enough in the first post (county funds will never actually mingle with non profit funds), your reply regarding taxpayers' dollars for private purposes indicates that the perception of that being the case may be just too strong to overcome.

Thank you.

 

[seniorjudge]

Thankfully I am the county. And while I may not have been clear enough in the first post (county funds will never actually mingle with non profit funds), your reply regarding taxpayers' dollars for private purposes indicates that the perception of that being the case may be just too strong to overcome.

Thank you.

My answer has nothing to do with commingling.

 

[Satchmo]

My answer has nothing to do with commingling.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

[dallas702]

I think he's talking about using the public monies/functions of the county to perform a service for a private entity. Most county administrative functions have enough trouble taking care of their own business. You need to hire a private accountant.