Finance committee approves transfer to cover prior audit invoice and OKs new deputy finance position

The Finance Committee on May 5 approved a transfer to cover an outstanding auditor invoice tied to the City’s 2023 financial statement work and moved to create a deputy finance director/chief accountant position after a workload analysis showed sustained need.

Finance Director Glenn (first name provided in meeting) told the committee that the 2023 audit required additional on‑site testing and expedited work after the city’s prior‑year financial irregularity, and that the auditors’ invoice for the 2023 audit was outstanding. City Manager Adams explained the city needed a budget transfer so the invoice could be paid; committee members approved the transfer in a 5–0 vote.

Why it matters: the city’s finance team said the higher invoice total resulted from extra audit work tied to prior internal issues and an expedited schedule. Committee members pressed staff for clearer reconciliation of audit‑year charges, asked for the fiscal‑policy “tests” the council adopted to be run against current balances, and requested more frequent (quarterly) financial updates going forward.

In a separate vote the committee approved creating a new, permanent finance position: a grade‑32 deputy finance director / chief accountant for the Jefferson County personnel board. City Manager Adams said the classification and workload analysis justify the hire; members approved the position 5–0. The manager and finance director said the new post would reduce reliance on external temporary accounting help and better support year‑end close work and future budget preparation.

Officials also discussed several other audit‑related accounts. Finance staff said the budget contains multiple line items for auditing, contractual accounting services and outside forensic work; they told the committee they will return with a plan to reclassify and right‑size accounts so annual and prior‑year audit costs are reported in the correct lines.

Ending: Committee members asked staff for a timeline to supply the financial “tests” required by council fiscal policy after year‑close and asked that future midyear reviews include those results. Staff said they will return with reclassification proposals and the fiscal tests at a later meeting.