Residents press council for fiscal transparency and question borrowing as auditors report material weaknesses

Several Hopewell residents used the communications-from-citizens period to criticize city fiscal management, press for overdue audits and oppose the proposed $15 million financing.

Laura Greenwood (Ward 6) told council she was "fed up" and said the city audit referenced by staff has not been made available; she warned that "we the people... will require our own audit" if results are not provided. Ed Hauser and Wayne Parsons asked for specifics on how borrowed funds would be spent and criticized city travel and contracting practices. Darling Thompson said council members are not communicating with constituents and raised concerns about spending while audits are incomplete.

At the same meeting the city—s independent auditor, David Foley, presented the FY2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and said the firm issued an unmodified opinion on the city's financial statements, meaning the statements were prepared using generally accepted accounting principles. Foley also reported recurring material weaknesses in internal control procedures — principally reconciliations and timely monthly procedures — which mirror findings from prior years.

Foley and council members said work is underway to remediate those weaknesses and that staff and outside consultants have been addressing procedures for FY2024 with the goal of improved timeliness and accuracy. Council and staff noted weekly meetings with auditors and a plan to complete FY2024 work and present more current reports.

Quoting public commenters and the auditor, the meeting captured both public distrust about fiscal transparency and staff assurances that corrective work is in progress. Council did not take funding action in response to public comments but proceeded with votes to authorize the capital financing and other agenda items.