Arkport audit report to be unveiled Monday afternoon
Details of the recent audit of the Village of Arkport's books will be made public today.
The village board has scheduled a meeting for 3 p.m. today to hear a report from members of Wheat and Fitzpatrick, the firm auditing the village.
"It's not a question and answer period," Arkport Mayor A.J. Patti said Friday. "It's a summary of the audit."
The audit began in October and was expected to end around the middle of December. The village was quoted a price of $4,700 to $5,700 for the audit, which examined items from June 2006 to May 2007.
Talk of an audit came from residents and board members after several issues were revealed in the village. Among those issues - found after the Tribune and citizens made Freedom of Information Law requests - was that village Clerk Margaret Horan admittedly used a village-issued cell phone and credit cards for personal use. Horan maintains she has reimbursed the village for any costs.
After Trustees Marianne Matacale and Jerry Clark, along with Horan and Deputy Clerk Patty Gambino met with the auditors earlier this month, Matacale said the firm had some suggestions for the village.
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Matacale said the auditors suggested the board institute a purchase order process for buying items, including authorization of credit card use and having the board approve expenditures before purchases are made.
"It is my guess that the board will develop a policy detailing the proper protocol for purchasing items, delineation of authorizations to make purchases and requirements for receipts and reconciliation of invoices," she said. "It is a matter of checks and balances, and with the proper provisions in place, I am confident the board will vote unanimously in favor of it."
During a meeting Dec. 10, Horan suggested the village use purchase orders, which would have to be approved before money is spent. Clark suggested certain people be authorized to sign the purchase orders.
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Matacale said there also was extensive talk regarding "excessive" vacation pay and other benefits. The board discussed this issue at length during the Dec. 10 meeting. Clark said he liked the "use it or lose it" policy when it comes to sick or vacation time. Horan said if sick time doesn't carry over, it could encourage people to call in sick. Patti said he thinks the board needs to spend more time working on sick time policies.