2016 City audit approved

Scott Szabo of Lauer, Szabo & Associates, PC addressed the Holyoke City Council at its June 20 meeting, reviewing the 2016 audit. He said the audit went well and commended the Holyoke staff for the excellent job they do. Following Szabo’s report, Mayor Orville Tonsing applauded the staff, noting, “We, as a council, owe them a thank you.”
    The general fund balance at the end of the year was $1,641,994, up $262,571 from the previous year. Szabo explained that the City has slightly more than six months in reserve. The total balance of nine special revenue funds is down $57,088 this year, but he explained that is to be expected. The earmarked dollars in those funds are used for special projects.
    The City transferred $832,398 from the utility fund to the general fund, but the utility fund was still up $166,800.
    A single audit, new to the City this year, was required because $1,114,546 of federal money was used for the airport improvement program, and Szabo said it went really well. A single audit is only required when federal funds totaling $750,000 or more are expended.
    
    Officials report
    Brown reported that electric crews continue to replace poles and only eight remain. Water and sewer fixed a leak in the alfalfa sprinkler system and is readying for annual backflow device compliance checks.
    Street crews have been mowing, spraying and patching streets and began concrete work at the mini park. Also at the mini park, the top cap is up and the faulty support has been raised and backfilled.
    Police Chief Doug Bergstrom reported that the police department handled or generated 159 calls for service from June 2-15. They made two arrests, wrote two citations and 10 reports, and gave out 20 warnings. Of that, code enforcement handled two animal complaints, two dogs at large and seven ordinance violations.
    Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Olofson reported the City received the second-quarter deposit from the conservation trust fund at $5,306.71. The City also received notice from Phillips County Clerk and Recorder Beth Zilla that ballot items need to be submitted by July 28.
    
    Other business
    In other business at the Tuesday meeting, the council:
    —Approved a transfer of entitlements from the Holyoke Municipal Airport to Spanish Peaks Airfield, giving Holyoke’s 2017 $150,000 Federal Aviation Administration grant to Huerfano County.  
    —Renewed its annual lease agreement with Holyoke Golf Club Inc.
    —Donated $2,500 to the Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department for Fourth of July fireworks.
    —Added $250 to Trevor Dalton’s, Taylor Mayden’s and Roni Beavers’ coaching salaries to compensate for the additional work they have taken on due to one fewer coach working than anticipated.