City council hears 2006-2007 audit report, gets thumbs up
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

"The city is moving in the right direction."

This was the message delivered to members of Millen City Council by accountant Patricia Hunter during the group's Tuesday, March 4, meeting.

Hunter delivered the city's 2006-2007 audit report and briefly discussed a few of the audit findings requiring corrective measures. Findings listed in the report included: making timely deposits, reconciling court fines to amounts recorded in general ledger, reconciliation of subsidiary ledgers to the general ledger; balancing of the general ledger to bank reconcilement and other general accounting practices.

It was noted that procedures have already been implemented to address the findings and eliminate the problems associated with them. Ms. Hunter noted that the number of findings was down from 18 for fiscal year 2005- 2006 to only seven for the current report.

"There is a lot of progress in how things are being handled. I expect to see a number of these cleared up with the next audit," she said.

It was also noted that the city expended $227,713 in excess of appropriations. The over-expenditure was due largely to the increase in health insurance and related benefits, Ms. Hunter said.

A request from residents of Askin Acres asking that the city provide sanitary/sewer services to the subdivision was discussed. After noting that it would take approximately $223,700 to do so, council determined that a Community Development Block Grant would be needed to fund the project.

Other actions taken by council included the following:

• Authorized the mayor and city administrator to execute a right-of-way agreement with the Department of Transportation as it pertains to the Cotton Avenue TE grant improvement project;

• Accepted a bid from Hadden Wrecking Company in the amount of $945.07 for the purchase of surplus vehicles;

• Approved a motion whereby the city would furnish dirt for the waste water treatment plant project;

• Accepted a proposal from Parker Engineering to create a Water System Master Plan;

• Approved the change of council meetings to 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month;

• Approved a motion to establish a $10 base fee for irrigation systems and a $15 cut off fee;

• Approved the purchase of equipment for the Gas Department in the amount of $6,264;

• Approved a resolution to remain in the Central Savannah River Area RDC;

• Approved a mutual aid agreement with the City of Swainsboro for fire protection; and

• Approved the adoption of a Budget Calendar as presented by the city administrator.