McGinty v. Pickering

Per Curiam. 1. The funds in controversy were paid by the State Highway Department for the use of Murray County, as compensation for construction work performed by the county on a State road under a contract between the county and the State Highway Department. “All sums from whatever sources which are paid into the county treasury shall constitute a part of the county revenue.” Code of 1933, § 92-3901. In equity, these were county funds and should lie so treated, whether deposited in the name of the county or not, all parties concerned having knowledge of their source and of the consideration for which they were [454] paid by the State Highway Department. Spain v. Hall County, 175 Ga. 600 (3) (165 S. E. 612). The plaintiff as a taxpayer of the county had such interest in the funds that he could sue to enjoin an illegal disposition thereof. Mitchell v. Lasseter, 114 Ga. 275 (4) (40 S. E. 287); Dancer v. Shingler, 147 Ga. 82 (2) (92 S. E. 935); McGinnis v. McKinnon, 165 Ga. 713 (141 S. E. 910). 2. ' It appears from the record that Pickering is acting as agent of the county without right, because there is no recorded contract between him and the county, establishing such relation. Code of 1933, § 23-1701; Douglas v. Austin-Western Road Machinery Co., 173 Ga. 834, 838 (161 S. E. 811); Walker v. Stephens, 175 Ga. 405 (165 S. E. 99). 3. Furthermore, it is the duty of the board of county commissioners to audit and pass upon any claims arising against the county in connection with the construction project. Code of 1933, §§ 23-701, 23-1601, 23-1602. This is a duty which can not be delegated, and the funds in controversy should not be used for the payment of any such charges before a determination of their correctness by such commissioners. Williams v. Batten, 156 Ga. 620 (119 S. E. 709) ; Tobey v. Seaboard Construction Co., 169 Ga. 104, 110 (149 S. E. 914). This ruling will include the claim of Pickering for the reasonable or unliquidated value of his services. Maddox v. Randolph, 65 Ga. 216 (2); Cox v. Board of Whitfield County, 65 Ga. 741 (2) ; County of Cobb v. Adams, 68 Ga. 51 (2); Smith v. Fuller, 135 Ga. 271 (3) (69 S. E. 177, Ann. Cas. 1912A, 70). 4. Nor should the funds be disbursed except on “vouchers signed by the chairman of said board.” Ga. L. 1933, p. 631, sec. 11; Bank of Chatsworth v. Hagedorn Construction Co., 162 Ga. 488 (134 S. E. 310). 5. On application of the foregoing principles, it appears from the pleadings and the evidence that the funds were in danger of being disbursed without compliance with legal requirements, and that the plaintiff as a taxpayer was entitled to an injunction against such unlawful disposition thereof. 6. Also, the judgment was final as to certain matters with reference to which it was improper to make an adjudication at the interlocutory hearing. Booth v. State, 131 Ga. 750 (63 S. E. 502); Southern Cotton-Oil Co. v. Overby, 136 Ga. 69 (3) (70 S. E. 664); Pig’n Whistle Sandwich Shops v. Keith, 167 Ga. 735 (4) (146 S. [455] E. 455); Rodgers v. First Mutual Building & Loan Asso., 179 Ga. 147 (175 S. E. 477). Judgment reversed. All the Justices concur, except Beclc, P. J., who dissents.