The 2022 financial audit and airport construction corrections were among matters discussed Monday by the Houston City Council.
Jon Cummings, KPM CPAs & Advisors in Springfield, presented the city’s annual audit report for the year ending Dec. 31, 2022. The city received an unmodified, clean opinion. Revenues appeared flat, and the city had a total fund balance of $4,179,574. Cummings suggested the city look into segregating more duties, increased cross-checking and updating internal controls.
Cummings also stated that the fiber project which had used $2,594,849.18 at the end of 2022 went over budget due to poor timing that was outside of the city’s control. He recommended that the city make fiber its own enterprise in the accounting system, separate from electric, to make it clearer to understand. He also believes the city has enough money to make some additional payments toward the pool loan. Other than some transfer issues – which Cummings believes is due to employee turnover – he stated that the park, police and fire sales tax revenues have been used correctly to his knowledge.
Laura Koonce and Greg Ballou, Woolpert, spoke to the council about correcting concrete strength issues at the Houston Memorial Airport, where improvements were recently made under a Federal Aviation program that sends funds to the states. Ballou believes that having to use “flash set” in the concrete due to government regulations is causing it to take longer to reach the appropriate strength. He stated that the Federal Aviation Administration and the Missouri Department of Transportation are aware of this and agree with his proposal to keep the concrete around the light cans (non-load bearing) and to replace the foundation and pad concrete around the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights at the contractor’s expense. The council approved the recommendation including a pay deduction from the contractor of $3,887.10 for keeping the concrete around the light cans.
In other matters:
- The council chose to postpone making a decision on a new Missouri Public Utility Alliance (MPUA) agreement.
- Members chose to postpone making a decision on health insurance. At the current $1,000 deductible, a 7.91% increase will take place. If the city goes to a $1,500 deductible, city expenses would decrease.
- A new area of carpet at city hall for $5,783 was approved.
- The council discussed the housing project taking place on Oak Hill Drive. A lake, and fewer houses, are part of the new engineering plan.
- Lloyd Wells, city administrator, gave a positive update on Emmett Kelly Festival planning. The event is Saturday, Friday, April 27.
- Wells plans to follow up on houses that have received nuisance complaints.
- Don Romines, alderman, brought a legislative action alert concerning sales tax on food to the council’s attention. He requested that each member reach out to their representative to oppose the measure which he believes would hurt the city budget.
- Kevin Stilley, alderman, questioned if the agenda was correct according to an attorney general’s letter. Mayor Viki Narancich stated that all necessary adjustments were made.
At 8:11 p.m., the council adjourned into closed session.