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Cascade council accepts 2025 audit, approves EMS stipend increase and temporary pantry move; begins FY27 budget workshop
Summary
City auditors reported two material weaknesses and several financial trends; the council accepted the FY25 audit, approved an EMS volunteer stipend amendment and a temporary Saint Aquinas pantry relocation, and then heard department budget presentations ahead of the fiscal 2027 workshop.
The Cascade City Council accepted the city’s fiscal 2025 audit, approved an amendment to EMS volunteer stipends effective Feb. 1, 2026, and allowed Saint Aquinas food pantry to use the old library temporarily during construction, all during its Jan. 26 meeting.
Dustin, an audit director with BRAGG and KB, presented the FY25 audit and said the firm issued a clean opinion on Cascade’s cash-basis financial statements but identified two material weaknesses: limited segregation of duties because of small staff and a material audit adjustment in the utility. "We did have two material weaknesses," Dustin said. He also noted two state-compliance findings, including deficit balances in a couple of funds and one questionable disbursement the auditors identified.
The auditors reported the general fund cash balance decreased by about $94,000, receipts dropped roughly $478,000—mainly due to one-time catalyst and downtown housing grants received in 2024—and capital outlay had risen because of a fire truck purchase. Enterprise operating results showed a water operating loss (about $132,000) that was partly offset by a non-operating reimbursement. The auditors recommended continued monitoring of rates and operations for the water and sewer funds.
Following the presentation, the council considered Resolution No. 426 accepting the fiscal 2025 audit (7/1/2024–6/30/2025). Delaney moved to approve Resolution 426; the motion passed on a roll call with Aye responses recorded for Weber, Gail, Delaney and Raker.
The council also approved Resolution 3-26, amending EMS volunteer stipends beginning Feb. 1, 2026; Delaney moved and Raker seconded, and the measure passed as recorded in the transcript. In addition, Deanna described options for Saint Aquinas food pantry to either store goods or operate temporarily at the old library during about a one-month construction period; Delaney moved approval and Weber seconded, and the council approved the temporary relocation by voice vote.
After formal votes, department heads presented budget requests and updates to begin the fiscal 2027 budget workshop. Highlights included a police proposal that accounts for hiring a potential third full‑time officer and capital equipment increases, fire department concerns about rising workers’ compensation and equipment replacement timelines, EMS’s increased call volume and a proposed first-year cost of $5,600 for new documentation software (ESO) to improve reporting and training records, and library staff outlining usage and a move to a larger building.
Council members indicated they will return to line-item budget review at a future meeting; no final budget votes were taken on Jan. 26.
