Parks commissioners met at Harmon Park on Sept. 14 to look over first quarter revised and second quarter financials in anticipation of the next day’s regular meeting. Their goal, though, came short as questions were raised.
Commissioner Dave Hartmann questioned why the 1/8 percent sales tax was not half of the ¼ percent in the revised first quarter financials and said, “the numbers aren’t certifiable if they don’t make sense.” Questions also arose around what specific line items represented within the financial reports.
Without clear answers and Executive Director Justin Huss saying that more tweaks were required, citing that Dog Park donations were a restricted line item, but not listed, as an example. Huss said that he doesn’t “question the data in those reports, it’s just a matter of the shape they are in.” There was mixed discussion that someone, either commissioners, the chair, or the director, should speak with Windle & Associates which led into the second topic.
Commissioners discussed how they would continue moving forward in regard to financials: to keep a CPA or to explore the option of hiring in-house. Chair Ruth Hager suggested the commission needed to work with Windle & Associates until next year. Hartmann voiced he did not have a problem with continuing the relationship with W&A but that a representative should be at workshops and meetings as they were “unproductive” when commissioners have questions they can’t answer.
Hager said that Rusty Windle told commissioners that he was willing to attend meetings. Hartmann asked if they had asked him to and Hager answered that she had not asked him to attend this workshop.
Commissioners agreed to attempt to hold a workshop prior to the regular meeting on Sept. 15 with Windle. Hager said that she would send the commissioners’ questions to W&A so that the answers would be prepared.