WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 2
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=hjwgqB9T_i8
Video-2: youtube.com/watch?v=naF7bQPqS3A

Part: 1

1
00:00:00.000 --> 00:12:40.120
--------- Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> meeting. I'm calling this meeting to order. Is Pastor Mulberry there on Zoom? >> I do not see him. >> Okay. Um

2
00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:59.480
Commissioner Davis, could you please do the invocation again? Invocation led by Commissioner Davis, pledge led by Commissioner Borum. Will please stand if you're able. >> Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day. We thank you

3
00:12:59.480 --> 00:13:14.440
for this time. We thank you for the privilege we have of serving the citizens of Palatka. We ask that you guide us and direct us as we take care of the business of the city. Give us wisdom and direction and

4
00:13:14.440 --> 00:13:30.640
help us to make the best decisions not just for our cities but for our citizens. I thank you for each and every one who dedicates their life and serves tirelessly no matter what is going on, and I ask continued blessings. In Jesus'

5
00:13:30.640 --> 00:13:45.320
name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> Please join me in the pledge. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with

6
00:13:45.320 --> 00:14:07.160
liberty and justice for all. >> Roll call, please, Madam Clerk. >> Commissioner Morgan >> Present. >> Commissioner Jones >> Here. >> Commissioner Davis >> Present. >> Commissioner Commissioner Campbell >> Present.

7
00:14:07.320 --> 00:14:21.560
>> Mayor Currier >> Present. We We're all here. Um could we I'm going to open the floor up to public comments. Is there anybody here for public comment? Seeing none, I'll close public comments.

8
00:14:21.560 --> 00:14:37.080
Um on to regular business. Annual financial report for the year ended September 30th, 2025. Miss Kerr >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Good afternoon or good evening, I should say, to our commissioners. Chantel Pierre is our finance director.

9
00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:54.200
She is going to lead off the presentation and introduce the auditor who is prepared on Zoom on the eve of the due date, June 30th, to bring to you his report. And with that, Miss Pierre.

10
00:14:55.920 --> 00:15:11.320
>> Mayor and commissioners, good evening. I'm Chantel Pierre, and I serve as your finance director. Tonight, we take an important step in maintaining the trust of our residents by providing a clear, independent look at our city's financial standing. I would like to thank our

11
00:15:11.320 --> 00:15:26.160
management, finance staff, and auditors for their hard work to make this transparency possible. Today's presentation covers the audit and annual financial report for the fiscal year ending September 30th, 2025.

12
00:15:26.160 --> 00:15:44.000
Our auditing firm is HCT CPA LLC, and the partner leading this engagement is Roderick Harvey, CPA,CVA. In addition to his 25 years of public accounting experience, Mr. Harvey brings a foundation of discipline and leadership forged during his honorable

13
00:15:44.000 --> 00:16:01.080
service in the US Navy. He and his firm has guided the city's of Palatka's annual audit since 2020. Serving as a vital anchor of institutional knowledge throughout multiple shifts of municipal leadership over the years, HCT has remained a reliable, stabilizing

14
00:16:01.080 --> 00:16:21.480
constant of our community. Following his presentation, both the auditor and management will be happy to answer any questions you have. Please welcome Mr. Harvey. >> Thank you. >> Welcome, Mr. Harvey. >> Uh

15
00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:37.400
Can you hear me now? Okay, thank you. Good Thank you for that, Mayor. Good day, Mayor, uh Vice Mayor, Commissioner, City Manager, City Attorney, uh Clerk. Uh thank you for that uh warm opening, Mrs. Pierre, Finance Director. Over the next few minutes, we will go through our

16
00:16:37.400 --> 00:16:55.080
presentation of the audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2025. Uh next slide, please. We are happy to present to you today uh the 20 >> Mr. Mr. Harvey, could you just wait 1 second? We're working on the volume. Um

17
00:16:55.080 --> 00:17:21.560
people are having difficulty hearing you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> We did that with preview earlier this uh >> Yeah, we had everything working. There was five of us in here making sure that it worked. >> With them on the on the other line. >> Oh, I No, I you. I believe you. >> It's all Murphy.

18
00:17:21.560 --> 00:19:16.880
>> Beautiful of Beauty of technology. >> That sounds wonderful to hear you. >> Can you try to speak, please? >> Testing 1 2 3. Testing 1 2 3. >> Can you try again, please? >> Testing. Testing. Testing 1 2 3. >> All right. That's definitely better.

19
00:19:56.400 --> 00:20:12.418
>> Okay, can you now try it? >> Yes, of course. Testing, testing. Harvey, testing. >> Harvey, is that a mic on? Is that a mic on? I know I was on. She just shut that one off. >> Can you have him get off and log back in?

20
00:20:12.418 --> 00:20:30.720
>> [clears throat] >> Yeah. >> See, I'm not even touching it and it's doing that, that's why I'm That's It would work perfectly. >> Did I hear someone say I should log out and re- re-enter? >> Could you try it? >> Can you try that, sir? I apologize. >> I've got No, no apology needed. Uh

21
00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:47.640
logging off in 1 2 3. >> think it's him cuz I hear him perfectly. >> Okay, this is an output. This is a mic. >> So, can we hear Mr. Campbell? >> He was just speaking. Just give him a

22
00:20:47.640 --> 00:21:08.040
second. >> I don't think it was him. I hear him perfect. >> Okay, I already hear you, Campbell. >> Can you Can you hear him? Can you hear Commissioner Campbell? >> Can't hear him. >> They They can't hear each other. These are speakers. Can we restart? I apologize for 5 minutes. Let us try to reboot the system

23
00:21:08.040 --> 00:21:24.000
back up it's >> going to be longer than 5 minutes. I just want to make this I guess if that's our our solution. I can't fix anything other than to reboot it is the only thing I can think of to do after all everything was working fine before we started. >> Okay. Um okay, we're going to >> And there's going to be muted while you

24
00:21:24.000 --> 00:22:00.760
all are talking back and forth. >> minutes. Did you get that Commissioner Campbell? >> Come again. >> We're going to recess for 5 minutes while we reboot the system.

25
00:22:00.760 --> 00:22:03.200
>> Okay.

Part: 2

1
00:00:42.160 --> 00:01:03.920
Zoom. It is 5:12 p.m. Mr. Jav, we'll try it again. >> All right. Uh, hold on. Let me see. Okay. Everything >> is the floor mine. Should I proceed or wait?

2
00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:42.159
>> Give me one second. I got to pull up the >> Yes, no problem. PowerPoint. >> Okay. >> Next slide, please. There we go. >> You can begin, Mr. Javi. >> Great. Once again, thank you, mayor, vice mayor, commissioners, uh, city

3
00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:58.159
manager, acting city manager, attorney clerk. Thank you, Mrs. Pierre, for that warm introduction. My name is Roderick Harvey, partner with HCT, certified public accountants and consultants. We are the CPA firm of record for the city

4
00:01:58.159 --> 00:02:13.920
of Palaca. Over the next few minutes, we will go over our presentation of the audit report for the year ended September 30, 2025. As reflected on the screen, we have performed our audit in accordance with our engagement letter

5
00:02:13.920 --> 00:02:31.840
which was dated February 2nd of 2026. We are pleased to provide to you based on our procedures, our audits, our testing, our inquiry that we have reached a clean audit opinion again for the year ended September 30, 2025.

6
00:02:31.840 --> 00:02:48.400
The date of our audit report will be June 29th, 2026. Next slide, please. We will spend a few moments going over the audit result, required communication, and other matters. We'll go over some supplementary slides and

7
00:02:48.400 --> 00:03:04.480
responsibilities. Next slide, please. As your auditors, there are certain required communications that we are uh we must give to you all as those charged with governance, i.e. the elected officials. We have performed our audit

8
00:03:04.480 --> 00:03:21.760
in accordance with gas generally accepted auditing standards to ensure that the municipal government is keeping its audit records in accordance with GAP generally accepted accounting principles. We have issued again an unmodified opinion. All of our audit

9
00:03:21.760 --> 00:03:38.959
reports are complete. There are no outstanding matters and all significant accounting policies and procedures are detailed in note one. Next slide, please. Looking at significant accounting estimates, we deem those to be allowance

10
00:03:38.959 --> 00:03:55.519
for doubtful accounts, depreciation, and fair value of investments, significant risk areas, management overriders, controls, revenue recognition, and cash. There were no new pronouncements that affected the financial statements for

11
00:03:55.519 --> 00:04:12.000
the city for for the city for 2025. Next slide, please. We have no matters to report as relates to uncorrected misstatements, corrected misstatements, and no matter to report for financial statement, presentation,

12
00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:29.040
disclosures, omissions, things not put in the audit report. Next slide, please. Control deficiencies, we will spend a little time on those uh in the next few minutes. no related party findings and our responsibility should this audit

13
00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:45.680
report be used in another document i.e. a bond offering we will be made aware of that and at that time we will uh coordinate with bond counsel as needed. Next slide. This is a significant slide for those charged with governance the

14
00:04:45.680 --> 00:05:02.639
elected body. It is our reporting to you. We use a uh plate mat format to show you that we have no areas to report, no matters to report. And I will highlight a few of the sections. Illegal acts or fraud, no actual or suspected

15
00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:19.600
fraud came to our attention. Non-compliance with laws and regulation. Other findings, no matters to report, significant difficulties encountered during the audit, no matters to report. Um and again findings we will spend some

16
00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:35.440
time over on that over the next few minutes. Next slide please. Based on AICPA guidance HCT and its staff next slide are deemed independent from the city of Palaka. Next slide. Next two

17
00:05:35.440 --> 00:05:51.199
slides. We will now talk about the financial reporting revenues expense capital assets and long-term debt. Next slide. looking at revenues and we normally do and we are doing a two-year comparison.

18
00:05:51.199 --> 00:06:07.120
Where were we the city in 2024 as compared to where the city landed in 25? From a revenue standpoint, revenues total 35.6 million for the 25 year as compared to 37.4 million for the

19
00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:24.560
20-year. We selected a sample of significant transactions various revenues and tested those revenue streams for existence completeness accuracy and the presentation of those revenues as recorded expenses for the 25

20
00:06:24.560 --> 00:06:40.800
year 34.3 million as compared to 28.3 million for the 20 24 year. We selected a sample of expenditures and tested those expenditures for completeness, occurrence, accuracy, and presentation.

21
00:06:40.800 --> 00:06:56.720
Next slide, please. Capital assets. Capital assets at the end of 25 105.1 million as compared to 96 million. We did look at the infrastructure assets. When it relates to fixed assets or

22
00:06:56.720 --> 00:07:14.240
capital assets, we do recalculate and look at depreciation expense and those things around that. Long-term debt, as you can see, remain relatively flat over the 2-year period. 22.6 million 25 as compared to 22.9 million for the 24

23
00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:31.520
year. We did confirm those debt balances with third parties. Next slide, please. Our responsibility is to review the control environment. Although we do not express an opinion on the control environment, we do note to you any

24
00:07:31.520 --> 00:07:47.840
deficiencies. Next slide. Those deficiencies can fall into two areas. A significant deficiency is a deficiency or combination of deficiencies in the control environment that is less severe than a material weakness yet important

25
00:07:47.840 --> 00:08:03.919
enough to merit the attention of those charged with governance again the elected body. A material weakness which is the second type is a significant def is a deficiency or control deficiency uh such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement

26
00:08:03.919 --> 00:08:20.319
of the entity's financial statements will not be prevented detected or corrected in a timely basis. We have noted six findings uh based on our audit results for this year. We will

27
00:08:20.319 --> 00:08:37.360
next slide please. We will spend a few minutes going over those findings. I will highlight the areas and upon question and answers we can delve deeper if at all uh to any of the findings should the mayor allow for time. Finding

28
00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:53.440
number one during a walkthrough procedures over cash dispersement controls ACT noted exceptions related to uh requisition in the requisition approval process. Our recommendation ACT recommends that management strengthen

29
00:08:53.440 --> 00:09:10.959
procurement and contract approval procedures to ensure that all significant transaction receive appropriate legal and financial review prior to exe uh execution. Management response management concurs with this finding. Next slide please.

30
00:09:10.959 --> 00:09:26.399
Concerns are raised regarding the accounting treatment of certain sales or land swap transaction specifically whether gains associated with those transactions were appropriately calculated and supporting supported. Our recommendation, HCT recommends that

31
00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:42.320
management implement formal review procedures for significant or unusual transactions including independent review of calculations, assumptions, and accounting treatments to ensure compliance with the pickup standards. Management's response. Although this

32
00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:57.040
although this is a concern raised and not an established audit finding, management is proactive. At the city of Palaka commission meeting on May 28th, 2026, a thorough discussion resulted in a ratifying motion to completely ban

33
00:09:57.040 --> 00:10:14.959
future land swap transactions. Find finding number three, please. Next slide. During our audit, we noted that the city recorded deferred revenue balances related to grant revenue where cash had not been received in advance. We recommend that the city refine its

34
00:10:14.959 --> 00:10:30.720
grant revenue recognition process to ensure deferred revenue is recorded only when cash is received in advance. Management response management concurs with this finding taken accountability for PLA practices and committing to competence

35
00:10:30.720 --> 00:10:46.160
by ensuring staff are fully trained on GFOA and applicable governmental accounting standards. Next slide please. Finding four, during review of general ledger activity within the CRA fund, we

36
00:10:46.160 --> 00:11:00.959
identified interf fund transaction transfer transactions, I'm sorry, recorded between the CRA fund and other other project funds that were subsequently reversed during the fiscal year with descriptions including

37
00:11:00.959 --> 00:11:17.040
transfer not justified or reverse transfer not justified. Our recommendation, we recommend management strength and control over inter fund trans interfund transfers, I'm sorry, by a requiring documentation justification

38
00:11:17.040 --> 00:11:34.880
and supervisory approval prior to recording transfer. B transfers B implementing periodic monitoring of transfer activity. C and enhancing review procedures to identify unsupported or unusual transactions

39
00:11:34.880 --> 00:11:51.279
timely, including transactions subsequently reversed within the accounting records. Management's response. Management acknowledges that documentation could be strengthened. Again, you have a write up there that we can delve into should you choose.

40
00:11:51.279 --> 00:12:07.040
Finding number five. During our review of grant funding project activi activity, we noted significant change orders that increased the original contract amount by approximately 120,000. Our recommendation, we recommend the

41
00:12:07.040 --> 00:12:23.440
city strengthen controls over grant funding projects and we list the various ways. Uh management response, the city agrees with the audit findings. Finding six, which is the last finding. Next slide, please. During internal control,

42
00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:38.160
I'm sorry, start over. During journal entry testing for both the city and CRA, we identified multiple instances where journal entries were not supported by adequate underlying documentation. Our recommendation, we recommend management

43
00:12:38.160 --> 00:12:55.600
strengthen controls over journal entry processing by and we list the various ways they can management response. management assess management's assessment is that this finding is not indicative of a broader pattern. However, to ensure a proactive and

44
00:12:55.600 --> 00:13:13.200
robust internal control environment, the finance director met with key staff immediately following the audit notification. Next slide, please. Management responsibility is to present the financial statements in a concise

45
00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:27.760
way in accordance with GAAP. Management responsibility is to provide the auditor access to the people, the paperwork and the document. The elected body responsibility is oversight of the financial reporting process and internal

46
00:13:27.760 --> 00:13:44.160
controls. Next slide please. Our our responsibility HCT as your audit firm is to perform our audits and express an opinion on the financial statements and again to provide to you. Next slide any

47
00:13:44.160 --> 00:14:00.000
communications that are required and this page tells you some of the things that we should we find should we determine are obligated to report to you. and I'll list a few. Communicating if we suspect or identify non-compliance

48
00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:15.680
with laws and regulations, communicating with management and the city commission in writing all significant deficiencies and weakness and conducting our audit in accordance with AICPA standards for gas. Next slide, please.

49
00:14:15.680 --> 00:14:32.000
We want to thank you for the opportunity to perform and present uh perform the audit for 2025 to present the audit results and should the mayor allow, we will do our very best in accordance with the finance director and management to answer any questions that you have as

50
00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:49.040
the elected body. If we cannot answer these questions, I will definitely follow up with the elected body and or through the manager with any answers that you may need or desire from us. In closing, remember I am accessible to

51
00:14:49.040 --> 00:15:05.440
each of you individually should you choose to reach out or need to connect with me regarding this audit and the results there, too. Thank you, Mayor, for this time. We turn it back to you. Thank you, Commissioner Jones. Do you have any questions? Mr. Audit

52
00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:22.320
Commission? >> Um, thank you for that um audit uh report, but um my only question would be uh are these some new things that just came up with this year or was some of these things potentially present prior

53
00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:37.600
to >> some of the findings? >> Very great question. Who's speaking? I think it's Commissioner Jones, but I don't want to assume. >> Commissioner Borum. Commissioner Borum. Hey, how you doing? It's Harvey. I'm fine. Thanks so much. >> Um, so

54
00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:55.839
we we put out an email to the commission and to the manager a while ago and and asked for additional audit effort in some areas that we noted during the midway of our audit. That additional audit effort was approved by the mayor

55
00:15:55.839 --> 00:16:12.480
and commission. And so we did a deeper dive this year based on that approval into some of the key areas. Uh so we were able to audit, review, spend additional time to raise these issues. The essence of your question is are

56
00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:28.800
these matters potentially there in past years? Yes, they could be. They may be. Um but we believe this year stands on its own. our audit procedures and testing uh for this current year, remember, goes from October one of 24

57
00:16:28.800 --> 00:16:43.920
all the way through our audit report date. And so we hope that these findings are within the bound lines of this year, but it is possible that they could have one. I will say I'm not sure about the land swap. I think that's happened

58
00:16:43.920 --> 00:16:59.519
historically intermittently. So I don't think that's something that may be just housed every year. It may have happened over the years, past three, four years each time. I don't know. >> Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. >> Yes, sir.

59
00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:16.079
>> Commissioner Davis. >> Good evening, Mr. Harvey. How are you? This is Commissioner Davis. >> Thank you. >> I just want to follow up um on Commissioner Borum's question. So,

60
00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:31.280
I really want to understand scope of work. So are you saying that in previous audits the scope of work would not have identified the findings that we have now? And I'm asking the question because

61
00:17:31.280 --> 00:17:46.400
some of the findings especially with the land swaps. I know land swaps happened years past and I'm just using that as an example but I'm just curious as to how these were not identified previously.

62
00:17:46.400 --> 00:18:02.080
>> Great question. Great followup. So the answer is it depends. Every year we are required or we should better word perform our audit in a in a way that is unpredictable. And so we will perform

63
00:18:02.080 --> 00:18:19.440
audits each year based on number one dollar value and risk. So where the city may have more dollars expended in one area or expenditures in another area, we will spend more audit effort in those times at that time at that category. So

64
00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:36.480
we may or may not come to conclusions in any one year. This year because of uh inquiries, conversations, we felt the need to dive into certain risk areas uh a little more. In prior years, we have

65
00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:52.799
not noted uh findings in the written format to the city. Um but that does not mean that we have not had conversations with prior management um in a verbal format in a way for things to be improved upon. Um

66
00:18:52.799 --> 00:19:09.840
we feel uh we my judgment as a professional CPA is to determine should the matter rise to a level to be a written finding. And then this year I thought it was very uh important to rise these things to a written format and so

67
00:19:09.840 --> 00:19:29.919
we did. Um just another question and this may be for last year. There was some indication that there might have um that some employees might

68
00:19:29.919 --> 00:19:45.919
have had conflicts of interest in some um business dealings between the city and others versus their personal business. Is that something that would potentially have been identified in this

69
00:19:45.919 --> 00:20:03.600
type of audit? Great question, Commissioner Davis. And and I'mma I'mma answer it on two level levels. the essence of what you described could affect the control environment, how the

70
00:20:03.600 --> 00:20:20.080
city does what it does uh with those employees as you describe those folks doing things that may be outside of bounds would not have a direct financial statement impact on the

71
00:20:20.080 --> 00:20:35.200
overall financial statements of the city. But where it would have an issue is does the city have the appropriate policies and procedures in place? Was those folks aware of the policies and

72
00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:51.679
procedures and was the offense documented in a fashion that would make it rise to our level as auditors. So that would mean on level three either the city attorney, city manager at that time or the department head would have

73
00:20:51.679 --> 00:21:07.360
had [snorts] to note, hey here is the policy. These folks offended the policy and then what is the result the financial statement impact if any or is it operational and then what does that

74
00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:22.320
mean? That would then need to be bubbled to us. We send out related party confirmation which is the one or two page things we send to all of the elected and certain of the department heads where we ask we and we now this we

75
00:21:22.320 --> 00:21:40.320
do every year. We ask are you aware of any fraud or instances that should be reported to us? And so if folks do not report to us any of those issues then it it does not pull into our purview.

76
00:21:40.320 --> 00:21:56.240
Thank you for that clarification. And one other point I'd like to confirm is the audit that your um company performs for the city is an annual financial audit versus something more in

77
00:21:56.240 --> 00:22:12.640
detail. Is that correct? >> Yes. But I would like to expound. We perform a financial statement audit. And when you say other audits, so example, you all could hire somebody to do an operational audit. You could hire somebody to do a forensic audit. You could have the OIG come in do another

78
00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:30.799
audit where those folks would have a lower level of scope. So they may look at things at a $1,000 level that we necessarily won't look at because our audit is citywide and based on a larger level of scope or a larger dollar value

79
00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:46.640
item to be reviewed. >> Thank you for that clarification and um I appreciate your responses. Thank you, mayor. That's it for today. >> And we're all set with questions. Thank you, Mr. Harvey. We appreciate >> That's it. >> Sorry. Thank you, Mr. Harvey. We appreciate it.

80
00:22:46.640 --> 00:23:06.240
>> Thank you all. Thank you for allowing me to serve. Bye. >> Byebye. With that said, we need a motion. >> Yes. Oh. Um, mayor. Um, and before I make the motion, I I just want to say that

81
00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:22.159
I am going to make this motion and I'm going to move that we approve this financial audit because number one, it has to be submitted to tomorrow. [laughter] >> Um, so I so moved. >> Second. >> Have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> I

82
00:23:22.159 --> 00:23:37.200
>> I >> Did we get an eye from Commissioner Campbell? Yes. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Um, go ahead, Miss Curry. We got a I that item is passed. Is that right? The >> correct pass. >> And I didn't get to chance to say nay,

83
00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:55.679
but nay. No nays. Okay. [laughter] >> Okay, that's great. I wanted to [clears throat] expound a little bit on Commissioner Davis's inquiry regarding a financial report, a annual financial report and an annual comprehensive financial report. And so I recall when I

84
00:23:55.679 --> 00:24:12.000
was being interviewed, I entered acturer into a conversation that I was having with you all. Um, assuming that the city did have an acter. So what I learned is that the city had an annual

85
00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:28.159
comprehensive financial report in 19 I mean in in 20 19 in 2020 and in 2021 you had an annual comprehensive financial report which has some additional layers of transparency built

86
00:24:28.159 --> 00:24:44.080
into it. There's a transmitter letter that comes uh with it. There's an organizational chart that comes with it. There's a statistical portion of the report and if applicable there is a GFOA certificate that is submitted in order

87
00:24:44.080 --> 00:25:01.039
for the annual comprehensive financial report to allow an elevated level of review of finances. The last time the city had that was in 2021. So for the years following that, the

88
00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:20.240
city moved to a more basic level of annual financial reporting. So I wanted to clarify that. Uh and the last time that the city has had a government financial officer association certificate was in 2019.

89
00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:38.000
So we need to strive to um be able to get back on track with an acter an annual comprehensive financial report and back on the GFOA's radar in terms of a certificate of achievement. So we've dropped off. So

90
00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:54.240
what we have recent what you all just approved of course is great. I mean I'm not saying anything negative about it at all. I'm simply saying there is another bar that we can reach for in terms of financial trans. >> Is there any documentation as to why it

91
00:25:54.240 --> 00:26:10.080
was dropped in 2021 cuz that was well do you have any idea commissioner B. >> I can't recall any reason why it should have been dropped but I we I know we didn't take a a vote to u

92
00:26:10.080 --> 00:26:26.159
remove that portion of the uh audit or what have you. So, um, I'm I'm a little bit >> I'm going to yield cuz I don't know the answer. >> Yes, I'm I'm taking back a little bit about as it relates to that because I was used to the whole nine in terms of,

93
00:26:26.159 --> 00:26:41.360
you know, the state of the city as it relates to everything that's involved in the comprehensive U report. >> And I'm going to read that. Commissioner Bor, >> M. Pia, go ahead. >> There was a period of time where there

94
00:26:41.360 --> 00:27:00.159
was no finance director. Um, from that September 30th, 2022 period, there was no finance director. Lauren Shank had resigned and there was a period of time that was during the audit. She she res or she resigned or

95
00:27:00.159 --> 00:27:18.159
left in October of 22 and the next finance director would have been Miss Cardi and she came in May 15th of 2023. So that was when Jill was here and she pretty much helped um pull through with the audit, but she was not the finance

96
00:27:18.159 --> 00:27:34.240
director and didn't really sign off or couldn't sign off anyway. So >> yes, I recall Miss Shank being on contract during that period of time until Miss Cotti came on board, at least when I came into office in 2023. Um so there was definitely that lapse. Go

97
00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:49.840
ahead, Commissioner D. To that end, and especially since we're in uh budget workshops, I I would like to recommend that the city manager and finance director look at reinstating

98
00:27:49.840 --> 00:28:07.360
this comprehensive audit because I'm sure that it costs a lot more than a basic. And I think this is a time we probably need to make sure we accommodate for that as we're looking at budget items and make it a priority. And um the other um item I'm very grateful

99
00:28:07.360 --> 00:28:24.240
for in light of these findings and you know one thing in hearing about this is it happened. So now instead of rehashing what happened, let's learn from it and make sure we're better going forward. And the point I want to make about that

100
00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:39.360
is I'm grateful that we have already approved for an operational audit and um Miss Curry obviously I believe these findings have given us a point to begin that operational audit and some other items

101
00:28:39.360 --> 00:28:55.360
as you come across them. So I'm grateful for that and I think that'll put us on the track to understanding the outcomes of the operational audit with these findings and the opportunities to get to to write you know the course so that we

102
00:28:55.360 --> 00:29:13.120
can become um you know make sure we're using our um um resources appropriately but more than that that we're accountable and can confirm that we're following requires processes so that we can operate at a

103
00:29:13.120 --> 00:29:28.159
much higher level. So, thank you. >> I totally agree. We need to be accountable and transparent. And so, to that end, we need to really refine and move forward and progress to the point where that's the case. Thank you. >> You might respond, Madam May. Go ahead. [clears throat]

104
00:29:28.159 --> 00:29:43.679
>> So, um actually, um underscoring what Commissioner Davis mentioned, um I had a conference call this morning with the operational audit team. they are in the loop. Um I have asked them depending on

105
00:29:43.679 --> 00:29:59.360
what occurred this evening to take the six findings that you have heard about and dig into them deeper. Um because as the auditor mentioned, they have brought them to our attention, but it takes more of an internal audit, an operational

106
00:29:59.360 --> 00:30:17.039
audit to take it a step further and kind of unravel, see what the processes were. um make any recommendations for us to improve, bring things to our attention that were not brought to our attention in a high level audit as um the audit

107
00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:33.440
that we just have heard from from Mr. Harvey, but they are prepared to do that starting with these six findings. Um, I think the intent when they were hired by the commission was to dig deeper into your departmental operations, but I

108
00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:48.960
think because of what is occurring right now with budget and potentially with anything that may impact our budget even further after November, um, that it's a little premature to start putting an operational audit inside those operations when we're not really sure

109
00:30:48.960 --> 00:31:04.880
what they're going to shape be shaped up to be. Right. So for now, since we have an operational audit under contract, um, and they are in a position to actually take these findings, all six of them along with additional systematic kinds

110
00:31:04.880 --> 00:31:21.679
of issues, we can use their expertise in giving us more feedback as to how to fix the items that have been listed here. >> That's excellent. >> Thank you. Go ahead, Commissioner. The other thing too I I was it was my

111
00:31:21.679 --> 00:31:39.120
understanding I thought that a auditing firms automatically provided that same level of auditing as it relates to but that's not >> if we hired them to do that but we we did not hire HCP to do the level of

112
00:31:39.120 --> 00:31:55.600
operational audit that we're asking this firm and it's NGO. No, no, not not not that particular one, but but the the the acter. >> Okay. >> The ACT for portion of it. >> Not the not the not the um operational piece. >> I hear you.

113
00:31:55.600 --> 00:32:12.960
>> Right. So, I just kind of reverse back to that because I do know we had another firm in town before that, you know, provided us with the comprehensive um auditing. So >> with the GOFA, >> if I might respond, Madame Mayor,

114
00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:31.200
>> the actors for 20 and 21 were actually performed by HCT, the firm that we currently have. >> Correct. >> Doing our audits, >> right? >> So they had a three-year contract and a two-year um option to renew. >> And I believe all of those

115
00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:46.240
>> options have been handled. Is that right? So, but they did do the act for 420 and 21. if Mr. Harvey is listening hopefully he will confirm what I'm saying >> right >> um but obviously for 21 22 23 you the

116
00:32:46.240 --> 00:33:03.200
following years they did not do an act >> and that's why I'm a little bit confused you're asking >> as to how did it just >> not go away yes >> without having you know if we did not have a permanent >> uh finance director I just thought it

117
00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:19.679
was proper for the auditing firms to carry out those same set of because nothing changed from the commission side of the house as it relates to all right we we don't want we want a lesser um audit we want a higher level audit as

118
00:33:19.679 --> 00:33:37.120
opposed to >> the one that carry out more comprehensive >> anybody else have anything >> I want to make sure that what I'm hearing though is as we move into a new audit period um that you are as a

119
00:33:37.120 --> 00:33:53.039
commission seeking an annual comprehensive financial report and not an annual financial report. >> That's what I understood from Commissioner Davis. Based on the cost of that, we need to know all the factors, but yes, definitely. >> Yes, we definitely >> we need a we don't need a motion or

120
00:33:53.039 --> 00:34:08.560
anything. Just direction. >> Yes, just direction. I I do want to say to Miss Pierre and our just been here recently joining um city uh city manager, interim city manager. I

121
00:34:08.560 --> 00:34:24.720
recognize that you had to put in a lot of work in a short period of time um because of the schedule and I just want to say thank you. I know it's been very stressful. um auditing season is always stressful and I know you guys were crunched crunch crunch and I also want

122
00:34:24.720 --> 00:34:42.320
to thank um chief who was who started this process. So I want to thank you guys because I know it's been a lot of work. It's been a team effort to get us to this date. We are definitely one day before and I just really want to acknowledge that. It's just been a lot

123
00:34:42.320 --> 00:34:56.399
especially with our transitions and I want to just say how much we appreciate the work you've all done. So, thank you all >> as well as the rest of the finance department because everybody worked hard. Yeah. Yeah. The whole team worked hard to get to this point

124
00:34:56.399 --> 00:35:10.440
>> and I share that same sentiment. >> Anything else? >> Do we have a motion to adjourn? >> Motion to adjurnn.

