Audit: Mental health director overpaid

RALEIGH -- A state audit report issued today said a mental health office in northeastern North Carolina had overpaid its director, who made $282,000 a year.

The report criticized the salary of Charles Franklin, director of the Albemarle Mental Health Center, as well as his assistant, Linda Triplett.

Triplett, who does not hold a college degree, made $143,000 during the audit period -- more than Gov. Mike Easley.

The local board that set Franklin's salary cut it in July to $225,000. Before the cut, Franklin's $36,000 benefits package brought his total compensation to $318,750 a year.

The average pay for directors of regional mental health agencies was about $115,000. The Albemarle center serves a rural area of the state with one of the smallest populations.

In a statement, state Auditor Les Merritt said the audit showed an "urgent need" for changes in mental health system.

"This audit clearly shows that not all taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently and effectively for the benefit of the intended recipients," Merritt said.

"It is obvious that North Carolina's mental health safety net has been shredded, and now is the time for a bold policy move to provide sufficient care for North Carolinians in need of mental health services."

In response, the Albemarle board said it had cut Franklin's salary to abide by a state administrative law judge's ruling earlier this year.

The board criticized the audit's analysis of Triplett's salary, saying the audit was biased toward university education and discounted her years of experience.

The Albemarle office hired an accounting firm to do a salary study of center jobs. The study found the salaries were justified, the board said.

The Albemarle center serves 10 counties in the state's northeastern corner.