Controversy Surrounds Community Center

The Harmon Community Center in Airway Heights lost its funding from the county earlier this year, and the issue has become part of the political campaign this election.

Mayor Don Harmon, who is running for a second term, has been a leader in developing the community center’s programs.

The center bears his name. He has been both the president and vice president of its non-profit board.

Spokane County officials suspended a $15,000 grant because the center was not keeping adequate records of how the money was being used.

Also, the Internal Revenue Service is seeking payments for employee taxes because the money was not withheld from periodic payroll checks. Instead, the center planned to let employees pay taxes with their annual tax returns due the following April.

The center director arranged to be paid through a contract with the board, but the IRS said that is not allowed.

Now, the center is negotiating with the IRS to settle the overdue tax payments, Harmon said. Initially, the IRS wanted $25,000 from the center, but that figure was far higher than the actual tax liability for both Social Security and income tax withholding.

Harmon said the problems arose from the center’s attempt to cut costs so it could spend more on programs such as youth activities, senior meals and a summer lunch program for children.

He said no one was trying to avoid tax payments.

Harmon is being dogged by community criticism over the center funding controversy.

“It’ll be straightened out here any time,” he said.

The center is trying to update its records of spending to comply with the county’s demand for more documentation, Harmon said.

Harmon’s mayoral opponent, Brian Grady, said he isn’t going to criticize Harmon over the issue.

, DataTimes