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<br /> <br />Mr. Crow asked if the finance department is getting closer on everybody being trained on the <br />present accounting system. Ms. Charumilind stated that a new module has been added for staff <br />training. An example is project accounting, in the past each department would keep track of its <br />grants and finance would do the same, internal communication was poor. This made it hard for <br />the auditors to make sure grant money was spent properly. She stated the finance department <br />has implemented project accounting. <br /> <br />Mr. Crow noted that he was on item C, training of City staff on the finance software. <br /> <br />Mr. Walker said the short answer was the City is making progress. Mr. Crow asked if the City <br />had a time line as to when staff would be trained. Mr. Walker said the City would provide an <br />update on this. <br /> <br />Mr. Crow asked about progress of collection on delinquent accounts in trash and ambulance <br />services. Ms. Charumilind stated letters were sent to 400 property owners giving the residents <br />30 days to pay or the City will put a lien on the property. She noted that this was the only tool <br />the City can use in an attempt to recover these expenses. Ms. Charumilind said they still have <br />some problems with this, since some of the properties go into foreclosure. She also said the <br />City is still using a collection agency which recovers about $800 to a $1000 each month. <br /> <br />Ms. Carr had questions in the same book, page 5, number 2 which went along with her theory of <br />not spending money that was not budgeted. Ms. Charumilind said it was because information <br />from Special Business district did not come until the end of the year. She also has talked to <br />Parkview Gardens in regards to the fact that their fiscal year is different than the City’s and <br />when asked for numbers through June, Parkview Gardens’ numbers are not quite accurate. <br /> <br />Ms Carr noted that she had not seen any budget amendments for quite a while and wondered <br />why? Mr. Walker said some budget amendments would be coming before Council shortly. Ms. <br />Charumilind said the budget amendments are done quarterly. <br /> <br />Mr. Kraft asked if it would be easier if the pension plans were on the same budget year and if <br />the pension plan would be under the same budget next year instead of being treated separately. <br />Ms. Lenk said the pension is recorded as an expense in the government-wide financial <br />statements. She said the City will not have to record its pension expense on its budget, as it is <br />going to be a government-wide entry that will be run through the budget. Mr. Kraft asked what <br />the change was that was to take place next fiscal year. Ms. Lenk said it was to take place in <br />fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, and the expense that has been recorded as a liability will then <br />be accumulated. Mr. Kraft asked the auditors if there was any reason why the pension plan <br />cannot be on the same fiscal year as the City and they said they were not aware of any reason <br />why it could not be. <br /> <br />Mr. Kraft also asked if there was any legal reason why Parkview Gardens could not be required <br />to be on the same fiscal year as the City. Mr. Walker said he would check with the City <br />Attorney. <br />3 <br /> <br /> <br />