Torrington Board of Finance approves minutes, performance reports; audit timeline updated

The Torrington Board of Finance voted Wednesday to approve routine meeting minutes and a set of city performance reports while staff outlined the city’s expected audit timeline.

During the opening business, the board approved acceptance of special joint meeting minutes from Nov. 19 (one abstention recorded) and the regular Nov. 19 minutes. Members then moved and approved the city performance reports after a brief exchange about separate overtime accounting in the Public Works department.

Olivia, a city finance staffer, told the board the finance office has hired a generalist and a senior account clerk and is nearly fully staffed. Chair noted the city expects to complete and file its audit by Dec. 31 but said the lead auditor has requested a legal opinion about the Board of Education’s withholding of premium cost shares for employees; outside counsel has been retained and the city hopes to receive the opinion by the end of the week. “We believe we can get our audit completed and filed by December 31st,” the Chair said, while adding the city could seek an extension into early January if necessary.

Board members also asked for the Board of Education’s final 2024 financials; Chair said those documents have not been received and that staff would request them again now that Interim Director Donna Labbe is in the office.

The meeting closed after brief departmental reports and member remarks, and members adjourned by voice vote.