Freeport City Council approves multiyear auditing contract with Brooks Watson firm

The City of Freeport, Texas, held a council meeting on December 2, 2024, where several key agenda items were discussed, including the approval of auditing services, acceptance of a FEMA grant, and the awarding of a janitorial services contract.

The meeting commenced with a detailed discussion regarding the city's auditing services. The city manager reported that Brooks Watson was selected as the auditing firm for the fiscal years ending 2023 through 2027, following a request for qualifications process initiated in April 2023. The council reviewed the fee structure, which includes $64,375 for fiscal year 2024, increasing annually to $70,350 by fiscal year 2027. A motion was made to authorize the city manager and mayor to sign the multi-year engagement letter with Brooks Watson. However, the discussion revealed concerns among council members regarding the firm's performance in light of recent financial discrepancies uncovered in previous audits. After considerable debate, the motion passed with a vote of 3 to 2.

Next on the agenda was the acceptance of a $200,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a generator at the city service center. This grant, which requires a 10% local cost share, aims to enhance the city's resilience against power loss due to natural disasters. The council unanimously approved the grant acceptance, with plans to begin the bidding process for the generator installation.

The meeting also addressed the awarding of a contract for janitorial services to M and R's Elite Janitorial Solutions. The firm was selected after a competitive bidding process, with the council noting that the new contract would save the city approximately $2,099 annually compared to the previous contract. The motion to award the contract was approved unanimously.

In conclusion, the council meeting highlighted significant financial oversight issues, the proactive steps taken to secure federal funding for disaster preparedness, and efforts to optimize city expenditures through competitive contracting. The council plans to continue monitoring the auditing process closely to ensure accountability and transparency in the city's financial management.