The Butler County commissioners say they’re not ready to try to force Controller Ben Holland to resume payments to the Housing Authority of Butler County.

Commissioner Bill McCarrier, board chairman, said in an interview this morning that he doesn’t support Holland’s decision, but he isn’t prepared to take the controller to court over not making payments.

However, McCarrier said Holland’s actions are premature.

“He has no evidence of wrongdoing,” McCarrier said.

Holland on Friday decided to deny payments totaling $40,000 to the authority due to lingering questions about employees being placed on leaves.

In a letter sent to county solicitor Mike English, Holland pointed out the authority would not confirm or deny whether the personnel issues were related to fiscal matters.

McCarrier said the authority should resolve its situation before long.

The authority in January placed executive director Perry O’Malley on paid leave without citing the basis for the move. Initially authority officials said they expected O’Malley to return, but later categorized the time frame as indefinite.

The following month, operations manager Sandra Reges was put on a two-week paid leave.

Authority comptroller Dave Schnur resigned earlier that month.

Commissioner Dale Pinkerton agreed with McCarrier that Holland was premature.

Pinkerton said this morning that answers from the authority are forthcoming.

“We’re waiting for it patiently,” Pinkerton said.

Commissioner Jim Eckstein, who maintains the authority should be more transparent, could not be reached today for comment.

Eckstein, who has expressed concerns about the authority’s silence for weeks, previously requested state and federal agencies look into the matter.

Authority officials on Friday declined to comment about Holland’s concerns, but said they were willing to meet with him.

McCarrier said Holland should take them up on the offer.

McCarrier said ceasing payments to the authority impacts seniors living in its buildings and any projects under way.

“My concern is the authority is still functioning,” he said.

McCarrier would not rule out forcing Holland’s hand in court if payments don’t resume within a reasonable time frame.

“That’s a possibility down the road,” McCarrier said.