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City accepts clean 2024 audit; council also approves Shorewood contract conditional on assessments and authorizes $1M fire truck purchase
Summary
Detroit Lakes received a clean (unmodified) audit opinion for 2024, awarded the Shorewood Drive construction contract to the low bidder contingent on assessment approval, and approved purchase of a new Rosenbauer fire engine (~$1 million) with council support to begin procurement and pursue prepay discount options.
The Detroit Lakes City Council handled several finance and capital items including acceptance of the 2024 audit, preliminary contract action for Shorewood Drive, and authorization to purchase a new fire engine.
2024 audit: Auditor Janelle Bitson of Bergen KDV presented the independent auditor's report and two governance-related reports. The firm issued an unmodified (clean) opinion that the city's financial statements present fairly in all material respects. Audit findings included a recurring internal-control comment regarding segregation of duties (common for cities of this size); there were no instances of noncompliance with state statutes noted.
Shorewood Drive contract: Bids were opened for the Shorewood Drive Street & Utility Improvement project and the low bid was Mark Sand & Gravel at $1,821,000. Council approved the award contingent on favorable assessment hearing outcomes; council also adopted a resolution ordering the preparation of the assessment roll and set a public hearing for the next month’s meeting.
Fire apparatus procurement: The public safety committee recommended purchase of a new Rosenbauer fire engine with lead times of roughly 575 days. Chief Hansen told council the apparatus price came in at about $1 million; the department recommended staying with Rosenbauer because local service is available via the vendor's service center and to reduce out-of-town maintenance needs. The council authorized the purchase; staff discussed a prepay discount of roughly 6% if the city elects to prepay.
Other budget/finance notes: Council approved other budget-related items during the meeting including a lease of an old public works warehouse (to Becker County), and a $6,000 liquor-fund contribution toward July 4 fireworks.
Quote: "We did issue an unmodified opinion. This is what's considered a clean opinion," auditor Janelle Bitson said.
