Hazel Park board tables vote on five-year audit contract after firm presentation

Tyler Baker, who identified himself as a partner at an accounting firm invited to present to the board, outlined a five‑year audit proposal and compared competing bids before the Hazel Park Board of Education on March 16.

Baker said his firm’s first‑year price was $48,900 and that the five‑year total would be about $275,900; he listed two other firms’ first‑year quotes at roughly $53,000 and $63,500 and five‑year totals of about $284,211 and $321,750. Baker told the board the proposal assumes district records will be reasonably prepared for fieldwork and, as he put it, “we don’t bill more just because it took us longer.”

Board members asked about hourly rates, single‑audit add‑ons, references and the firm’s year‑round support and professional development offerings. Baker said the firm conducts many school‑district audits in Michigan and provides ongoing training and templates for finance staff at no additional ongoing charge.

After the presentation Board Member Heidi moved to table the selection until the next meeting so members could review the full bids; Debbie supported the motion. During debate one board member urged not to delay if the lowest bid represented strong value, while others said the one‑sheet summary on the dais lacked enough detail to justify an immediate vote. The motion to table passed on roll call, 4–3.

The board therefore did not award a five‑year audit contract at the meeting; members said the audit — planned to begin in September — could be scheduled after they have reviewed full proposals.

The board’s action to table will return as an agenda item at the next meeting, when members said they expect to have the complete bid documents available for review.