Auditor Speaks To Monticello Council

The Monticello City Council heard from Beth Grimes, auditor with Bates, Carter & Co., LLP Tuesday about the city audit for fiscal year 2014. Ms. Grimes gave each council member a copy of the complete audit and presented just the highlights of the general fund and the business funds, with the same results as in previous years—to not use the general fund to supplement the business funds, and for gas, water and sewer, and electricity to be independent of both the general fund and one another.

Ms. Grimes said that the auditors issued an “unmodified,” and a “clean opinion,” which are the best opinions to have. She said that as far as internal controls and processes, the auditors found that all of those procedures were in order across several departments. She stressed that the city seek a financial advisor as they had Sabrina Cape in the past, “especially with the city manager retiring [at the end of the year].”

In her report the revenues for the general fund were up $138,000 from 2013, but transferred funds also increased $125,000. She showed that property revenues increased by $42,000, mostly as a direct result of the Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) collections which were taken in for their first year entirely.

Expenditures increased $218,000 and she showed the largest increases in Monticello Police Department, $66,000 primarily in salaries for which City Manager Peggy Billerman said was due to leave pay and other monies owed as the department was shut down; public works, up $134,000, and $89,000 transferred out to the electric fund for operating costs.

She stated that the city had $2.2 million in revenues with only 30 percent of the total not being transferred. Seventy percent had been transferred to the general fund from electric, water and sewer, and gas funds. The city’s expenditures were reportedly below the budgeted amount, but the city’s actual net loss for the year was $36,000 overall. Ms. Grimes reported that the fund balance was at $47,000 after the loss and that was less than one percent of the year’s operating expenditures, stating that with her review it should be at about 25 percent or $566,000.

For the business funds, they should be self sustaining and generating a profit and in FY14, natural gas was the only fund with an operating income high enough to cover its debt service and was able to transfer funds into the general fund. Both electricity and water and sewer had shortages and had to rely on subsidies from the general fund. Ms. Grimes recommended getting the business funds to be independent of each other and from the general fund and to not rely on one another for subsidizing. Mrs. Billerman stated that there had been some changes in the FY15 budget and business rates to help correct the business funds.

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There was some discussion on revisiting the personnel policy and to whether or not the policy should continue to include appeals of termination being heard by the council. It was changed August 12, 2012 to allow city employees to appeal to council, and there was divided discussion as to the council’s role pertaining to termination. The issue was tabled until September when Mayor Bryan Standifer could be present.

There was much discussion over appointing Gerri Yoder to the Planning and Zoning Board. She is a resident on Eatonton Street and Bobby Jacobs, Mayor pro tem, recommended that the council appoint her. There was discussion as to what qualifications were needed to serve. Mr. Jacobs stood by her appointment while Councilman David Wease asked was it in the best interest, as she was there in opposition for modification of zoning for Reese Hall on Eatonton Street.

The vote was taken and with an undecided Wease, as he encourages citizen involvement, the vote was 3-2 against with Councilmen Wease, Cornell Williams, and Larry Thurman against, and Mr. Jacobs and Councilwoman Katherine Alexander in favor. This news reporter was a bit confused as the Mayor pro tem announced that it was approved 3-2 after Mr. Wease commented before the final vote was called and Mr. Jacobs saying, “is it yes or no?” with Mr. Wease voting for.

During the city manager’s report, there was heated discussion after Mrs. Billerman stated that letters had been sent to both Walter Smith and Roberta Anderson with the Get Ahead House about the city acquiring its van back from the GAH. The city has provided the van along with the insurance and the fuel for a number of years, and according to Mrs. Billerman, supposed to have it back July 1, 2015 but had not heard anything. The concern was whether or not to cancel the insurance on the van.

In response, Mayor pro tem Jacobs commented “they said that they don’t want it,” to which Councilman Williams asked, “who said they didn’t? Did they tell you they didn’t?” There were raised voices between the two and Mr. Williams was gaveled down by Mr. Jacobs, stating that Mr. Williams was “out of order.”

The council voted to pass the consent agenda with the minutes and the payables and voted to sign to bring the three-phase electric prepaid wiring for the hospice building in the amount of $35,521 that will begin on Friday.

During citizen comments, Don Thomaston came before the council as to his fluctuating water bills for his business Correct Cleaners. Mr. Thomaston expressed that he bill fluctuated from $28 per month to over $400 per month and that a usage chart showed use on Sunday’s and Wednesday’s when he was not there and only there half a day, respectively. The council set up a meeting with Mr. Thomaston, Waymon Cody, the city’s water and sewer superintendent (who was also present Tuesday), and council members to resolve the issue.

William Gibson spoke stating that it was hard to hear the council with no microphone and speakers. He said that the fans were loud and that “there is no need to be here if we can’t hear what is going on.” Mr. Gibson was told that the system was fried and that the fans were temporary in lieu of the air conditioning.

There were comments by Towander Dennis and Bobby Jacobs as to how much the cleanliness and maintenance of the city was improved, especially around the Square, the courthouse and Mrs. Dennis’ beauty supply on Forsyth Street.