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Auditor reports no material findings after federal grant threshold reached; committee approves bond-counsel resolution and $6.67M in bills
Summary
Independent auditor reported Hanovers finances are strong, federal single-audit requirements were triggered by $768,000 in federal grant expenditures, and no findings were reported; the committee approved Resolution 136-2024 awarding bond-counsel services and authorized payment of $6,669,833.41 in bills.
An independent auditor told the Hanover Township Committee on July 11 that the townships finances are strong and that additional audit procedures were required because federal grant expenditures exceeded $750,000 this year.
Kathy Mantel, the auditor, said expenditures for federal programs (primarily American Rescue Plan/local fiscal recovery funds) totaled $768,000 in the audit year, triggering a federal single-audit compliance supplement and related procedures. She reported "no findings, no deficiencies in internal control, and no material weaknesses" in the audit and offered one procedural recommendation: ensure purchase orders are placed and approved in advance when purchases are contemplated.
Separately, the committee approved Resolution 136-2024 authorizing the award of a professional service agreement for bond counsel services to Robert H. Bienfeld, Esquire, and the firm named in the meeting record, with a base fee of $3,500 plus services at hourly rates; the resolution cited the Local Public Contracts Law (NJSA 40A:11-5) and pay-to-play provisions (NJSA 19:44A-20.5 and NJSA 19:44A-20.26) as governing authority.
The committee also authorized payment of municipal bills totaling $6,669,833.41 by motion and recorded voice vote.
Next steps: Finance and purchasing were asked to follow the auditors recommendation on purchase-order documentation; bond-counsel engagement will proceed per the professional-services agreement.
