Optimus Club audit ordered as commissioners and club leaders spar over records, RecTrac enrollment

Cooper City's commission moved on July 25 to authorize a certified financial audit of the Optimist Club Cooper City under the facility use agreement, and commissioners and Optimist leaders used the public-comment period to air disputes about records access, meeting minutes and registration practices.

What happened: Commissioner Schroeder sponsored a motion to conduct a certified financial audit under the facility-use agreement section that allows the city to determine scope; during discussion commissioners said the audit may include a forensic component to investigate alleged irregularities. The transcript records the commission authorizing the audit and asking staff to return with a defined scope and cost estimate.

What Optimist leadership said: Pete Schlanger, president of the Optimist Club, described recent governance changes: the club is rewriting its articles of incorporation and bylaws, rebidding insurance, recruiting a CPA as treasurer, standardizing sponsorships, and implementing policy changes. Schlanger said the club has been cooperative but objected to what he described as public accusations and to requests for bank statements without context. He said the club is willing to provide records.

Commissioner concerns and staff response: Commissioners noted discrepancies in past practices, asked why some historical records were missing and raised questions about registration flows into RecTrac. Commissioner Katzmann said registration and residency-verification requirements were being adjusted to ease the sign-up burden while ensuring resident eligibility. City staff agreed to work with the Optimist Club and with the recreation staff to improve RecTrac enrollment, reporting cadence and transparency.

Why it matters: The Optimist Club runs youth recreation programs on city fields under a facility use agreement. The commission's authority to require audits stems from that agreement; audit findings may affect future facility use, insurance and financial oversight.

Next steps and scope: City staff will draft an audit scope (the commission discussed including a forensic component) and return with procurement and cost options. The club's president agreed to provide bank statements and financial materials requested by the city.

Ending: Commissioners emphasized preserving youth programs while ensuring fiscal transparency and compliance with the facility-use agreement; staff will return with an audit scope and timeline.