LINCOLN- State Auditor Mike Foley is warning two rural fire districts that they’re violating state law when they use district funds to purchase alcohol. In separate letters to the Cedar Bluffs Suburban Fire District and the Franklin Rural Fire District, the Auditor’s Office pointed out that a state statute prohibits the use of district funds for any beverages other than non-alcoholic.

The letters indicated that the Cedar Bluffs district spent $745 on liquor for an annual banquet for volunteers and their spouses, while the Franklin district showed a $534 bill for alcohol for a similar event. Foley said he has “tremendous respect” for such volunteer agencies and had been assured that the districts would discontinue such purchases.

Cedar Bluffs was also advised by the Auditor’s Office that it was exceeding a $50-per-plate statutory limit on recognition dinner spending — the district spent $139 each — and that spending $1,040 to hire a comedian for the event was probably also disallowed. In its official response, the Cedar Bluffs district said it would ensure that liquor was not purchased with district funds in the future.

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