Commissioners okay audit, grant application
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Shackelford County commissioners approved the annual audit Monday and agreed to apply for federal funds available through the CARES Act to assist with added costs at polling places for upcoming elections due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The audit for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2019 was presented by Meredith Churchill of Fullerton and Associates, a CPA firm in Abilene.
Churchill said there were no adverse findings in the audit this year, although she said she was working with the treasurer’s office concerning the payroll process.
“The county over-budgeted on the expense side and under-budgeted revenues,” she said. “That is exactly where you want to be.”
County judge Robert Skelton asked if any irregularities had been found, to which Churchill said there were none.
The audit lists total revenues for the year at $4,296,966, while expenditures totaled $4,197,985 for an excess of just under $100,000.
The audit listed fund balances of $7,488,471 at the end of the fiscal year.
A published statement of revenues, expenditures, and changes in the fund balance can be found in this edition of the News.
The audit was approved on a motion by Pct. 3 commissioner Lanham Martin.
HAVA Resolution
Martin also made the motion to approve a resolution to apply for Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds that was approved by Congress as part of the CARES Act.
Skelton explained to the court that the funds must be used for specific purposes including providing additional workers at the polling places to help keep the sites as clean as possible from any contagions.
“This money is for helping keep voters and workers at the polling places as safe as possible,” he said. “By accepting the funds, we are required to show that the money was used for equipment and additional workers to improve safety during the voting process. Any improper use of the money will require the county to pay the funds back to the federal government.”
Parking Lot Project
Skelton told the court that two soil core samples were taken by Enprotec/Hibbs and Todd of Abilene from the parking lot to be analyzed as part of a project to repave the area.
“They took samples at two different locations, but I haven’t gotten the report back,” Skelton said. “There is really nothing to do at this point until we get the lab report.”
Upcoming Workshop
Skelton told the commissioners that a budget workshop will be held after the June 22 regular meeting. He asked the commissioners and other department heads to start preparing their budgets now.
“We need to respect the financial situation that our taxpayers are facing with the shutdown,” he said. “We still want to provide the same level of services to the citizens, but in the most cost effective manner. Please examine your budgets to see where we can make cuts.”
Other Business
•The commissioners approved a request from CTSI, the county’s information technology provider, to approve four additional licenses of Office 365 for the courthouse at an additional cost of $16 per month. The measure was approved on a motion by Martin.
•The county opted to pay Oily Turtle Sales the sum of $200 to correct the paperwork necessary to provide a valid title for a trailer that was sold in March during an auction. The county’s title had an incorrect VIN number, which will have to be corrected before the buyer can receive a valid title.
•During the citizen’s forum portion of the meeting, local businessman Jacob Cleveland spoke to the court to offer his services for pest control. He was asked to get with the treasurer to present bids for his services.
•The county-wide burn ban remains in effect, with no action taken to lift it at this time.
•The court members signed a resolution recognizing sheriff’s deputy Jason Price on his anniversary date for four years of service with the county.
