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City manager and mayor defend audit work; manager says most state holds lifted
Summary
City manager and the mayor reported the FY2022–23 audit is complete, said the city is in sound financial condition, and described a pending JLAC decision on releasing one month of half-cent sales tax (about $130,000); mayor criticized local media coverage in a lengthy statement.
City staff reported at the May 13 meeting that the FY2022–23 audit is complete and that the city’s financial operations remain sound.
City Manager said the city completed survey and geotechnical work on several projects and reported that the auditor's opinion letter had been transmitted to the state; staff noted roughly $1,640,000 in donations toward a $2.5 million fundraising goal for the Homiston (Humiston) boardwalk project. The manager said most state-held funds were released but that approximately one month's half-cent sales tax — about $130,000 — remained under potential hold pending a decision from the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee (JLAC) chair, Senator Jay Collins.
The mayor delivered an extended statement pushing back on local reporting about the audit and alleging inaccuracies in recent stories. "No checks have bounced," the mayor said, and asserted the city has $10,300,000 in unallocated reserves. The mayor described meetings with JLAC leadership and said the city had provided requested documents in a timely manner; the mayor also said the city welcomes questions and is cooperating with state reviewers.
Council supported posting clarifying materials to the city website and social media. Staff said they would provide the audit documents to the public records requesters as appropriate and continue to update council on JLAC correspondence. Council did not take further formal action at the meeting beyond approving staff publication of clarifications.
