YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — The state auditor has found numerous violations of Washington law that have damaged the finances of the city of Wapato, especially in the case of a former elected mayor who created a high-paying position of city administrator and then was appointed to the job.

In a letter sent Thursday to Wapato Mayor Dora Alvarez-Roa, Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy said her office investigated after it was contacted by residents of the Yakima Valley town concerned about the actions.

Wapato is a farm town of 4,500 residents located just south of Yakima. It has an annual budget of $7.4 million and 36 full-time employees.

Among the things the state audit found:

—Former mayor Juan Orozco resigned his elected position last September and was immediately appointed by Alvarez-Roa to a lucrative new job of city administrator that he had created. Orozco was given a seven-year contract at a salary of $95,000 a year, use of a new sport utility vehicle and a $500 monthly allowance for gas.

—The city violated its nepotism policy.

—Did not competitively bid for the purchase of two vehicles, a swimming pool project and engineering services.

—Did not monitor its financial activity, resulting in a big decline in its financial health.

—City Council meetings were not properly advertised and did not provide adequate notice to residents and one meeting was held without a quorum. The city violated the law by not holding regular meetings at regular times.