Firm reports no problems with City’s 2019 audit

    Scott Szabo of auditing firm Lauer, Szabo & Associates, PC gave a succinct presentation to Holyoke City Council at its regular meeting Tuesday, June 18, reporting no problems with the City’s 2018 financial statements.
    “I think I say this every year, how much of a pleasure it is coming to do your audit,” Szabo said. “The ladies do a tremendous job with the books, and the records are so orderly.”
    At the end of 2018, the general fund contained $1,697,092, up $117,762 from 2017. That balance represents about 10 months in reserve operating expenses, which Szabo said is “healthy.”
    The total balance of the City’s eight special funds and one permanent fund is $664,585, up $25,009. The earmarked dollars are used to fund special projects.
    The utility fund’s net position increased by $465,295 to total $10,347,050, and $757,500 was transferred into the general fund.
    “Everything is in really good shape across the board,” Szabo said.
    Szabo was originally scheduled to present May 21 but rescheduled due to weather.
    
Brown, Bergstrom report
    City Superintendent Mark Brown said the City is working on a cost estimate for Triple R Transportation, which needs assistance transporting 90 27-foot-tall tanks through town.
    City crews worked on rodding sewers, cleaning storm drains and picking up branches. They also installed a water tap on Furry Street and plan one more installation on Emerson Street.
    Other City personnel upgraded electrical services on individual houses and fueled jets at Holyoke Municipal Airport.
    Holyoke Police Chief Doug Bergstrom reported that his department, including code enforcement, handled or generated 254 calls for service from May 31-June 12. They made three arrests, wrote 16 citations and two reports, and gave out 29 warnings. Code enforcement handled three animal complaints, four dogs at large and 13 ordinance violations.
    At Bergstrom’s recommendation, the council also approved a $6,000 per year contract with Kaseware Records Management System, which will supplant Holyoke Police Department’s Crimestar software suite.
    
Other business
    In other business June 18, the council:
    — Paid $10,500 to Phillips County for the annual Communications Center Payroll Support.
    — Accepted a $3,000 bid from Fernando Mosqueda to buy the Schult mobile home parked on the site of the future Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department station on West Denver Street.
    — Donated $2,500 to HVFD for July 4 fireworks.
    — Paid $1,000 to match part of a Colorado Department of Local Affairs grant awarded to Phillips County Economic Development for a county housing assessment.
    — Approved a $550 travel request for HPD Officer Mary Seeley to attend the National Standardization Child Passenger Safety Technician Certification Training in Fort Morgan.
    — Approved a $118.60 travel request for City Clerk/Treasurer Olofson to attend the “Elections — Beyond Basics” course in Yuma.
    — Appointed Luke Goldenstein to serve an additional four-year term on the Board of Variance Adjustment.
    — Introduced an ordinance that will regulate “accessory use” of a property the same as “accessory buildings,” in terms of structure height and setbacks. At the previous meeting, the regulations were accepted on recommendation of the Holyoke Planning Commission. The ordinance will be voted on July 2.
    — Renewed the City’s annual lease with Holyoke Golf Club Inc.

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