Auditor looks into contracts, warns local governments

Raleigh – State Auditor Les Merritt today warned schools, state agencies and local governments – including Buncombe County Schools and UNC Asheville – to check their purchases from Office Depot for overcharges.

Merritt announced he's auditing an Office Depot contract after finding nearly $300,000 in overcharges on a different state contract with the company.

He said the contract he's looking into now, managed by U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance, allows local government agencies to take advantage of favorable government pricing. He wants the agencies to check if they're getting the benefits they expected.

Merritt's office said the contract is worth $151,000 for Buncombe County Schools, plus $1,100 for Enka Middle, $400 for A.C. Reynolds Middle and $1,500 for T.C. Roberson High.

It's worth $67,100 to UNCA, $324,900 for Appalachian State University, $25,300 for Mitchell County and $1,300 for North Canton Elementary, the office said.