The outgoing Columbia Board of Aldermen received good news at its final meeting.
The city’s audit showed no major problems or violations, according to Patty Carter from the McDaniel CPA Firm, who presented the findings to the Board at its June 20 meeting. The presentation included a letter from the firm with comments relating to the audit year that ended on Sept. 30, 2016.
“All expenses were supported by a paid invoice and were properly approved,” the letter reads. “All capital assets that we tested were located and verified. Payroll was verified and equaled reports filed with the Internal Revenue Service. We were able to trace water fees collected, taxes collected and court fines received, court fines received and other revenue sources to a deposit slip and traced all of the money to where it was deposited in the bank.”
The report also said that the management of the city was cooperative and helpful.
Carter presented cash basis, cash receipts and changes in cash fund balances to the Board in the 25-page report.
“This covers all of your governmental activities and your business activities,” she said. “You can see your receipts and disbursements and each item is broken down. Your total receipts for the General Fund was over $5 million.”
In fact, the audit shows that the General Fund revenues were $5,154,128. Other non major funds totaled $616,000. Water, sewer and sanitation funds totaled $2,511,572 for the year. In disbursements, the General Fund saw $5,298,451 go out, for a shortage of $144,323. Water and sewer disbursements totaled $1,359,125 with $1,152,447 left in the fund at the end of the fiscal year.
The report also includes a total amount for the city’s assets with the previous fiscal year showing an increase of more than $800,000. As of Sept. 30, 2016, the city had a total of $17,105,280 in land, buildings, machinery and infrastructure.
According to the report, the results of the procedures and audit of basic financial statements disclosed no instances on noncompliance with state law and regulations.
“The results of our tests did not disclose any findings related to the financial statements that are required to be reported under Government Auditing Standards,” the report concludes.
Mayor Robert Bourne then asked the Board for a motion to accept the report, which was made by Ward 3 Alderwoman Renee Galloway and seconded by Alderman-at-Large Edward Hough. It was approved unanimously.
The next meeting of the Columbia Board of Aldermen is set for 4 p.m. on Wednesday, when the newly-elected Board will conduct its first meeting with new Mayor Justin McKenzie at City Hall.
