Board reviews HVAC invoices and finance update; audit draft expected
Summary
Finance director reported allotment revisions and rising percentages of expenses posted; auxiliary services presented invoices totaling hundreds of thousands for HVAC work at South Columbus and East Columbus high schools and the board was told auditors are finalizing financial statements.
At the Dec. 4 board meeting Columbus County Schools’ finance and auxiliary services staff presented facility invoices and a budget/audit update.
Auxiliary services reported invoices tied to HVAC work at South Columbus High School: invoice 813386 for $125,965 (labor and installation), invoice 972206 for $194,000 (second payment for installation and labor), invoice 958180 for $44,025.64 (final payment to Johnson Controls for gym air conditioning), and invoice 502294 for $16,000 (electrical hookup). For East Columbus High School the board received installment invoice 53,294 for $170,000 for labor and installation; district staff said installations are finishing and only controls hookup remains and will be completed in-house shortly. The district also reported METCON pre-construction applications (examples listed adding to pre-construction totals reported).
Finance director Nolan provided allotment and expense percentages as of Dec. 1: state funds expensed at about 41.76% (~$20,020,000), local current expense ~48.69% (~$3,200,000), and federal funds ~30.39% (~$1,970,000). The auditors are finalizing financial statements and a draft was expected the following day; the district remains on track for the Dec. 31 deadline. No budget amendment was required immediately; the director said staff will reevaluate in January.
Board members asked procedural questions about remaining contract work and timing. The meeting later moved into closed session under G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) for attorney consultation and confidential matters.
The transcript lists invoice numbers and amounts as reported; motions to accept the informational reports were taken as routine and no separate procurement votes were recorded in the meeting minutes.
