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Council hires firm for forensic audit of city finances, budgeted in carryover funds
Summary
The council approved contracting UHY Advisors to perform a forensic audit covering fiscal 2023–24 and a special-tax review for 2018–2024; councilors discussed proposal cost estimates and said carryover funds of up to $300,000 are reserved for the work.
The Pine Bluff City Council authorized the mayor to execute an agreement with UHY Advisors Mid-Atlantic to perform a comprehensive forensic audit of city financial records covering fiscal years 2023 and 2024 and a review of the special-tax fund from Jan. 1, 2018 through Dec. 31, 2024.
City staff told the council the proposal included a price estimate (one vendor bid indicated $138,812 for a defined scope) but that ranges were included in the solicitation in recognition of the variable work involved in forensic audits. Council members pressed for clarity about the total cost and were told the city had reserved up to $300,000 in carryover funds to ensure adequate coverage if the scope expanded.
Officials described the audit scope as broad: it will review records across multiple departments and examine urban renewal and special-tax activity for the period specified in the solicitation. The council approved the resolution to retain UHY and directed staff to set up an initial meeting and begin the onboarding process.
The resolution does not presume criminality; it directs a thorough review of accounting and transactions and authorizes staff to provide records to the retained firm. Councilors said the initial meeting with the auditor will further define scope, hours and invoicing; the audit cost could change if the investigation reveals additional work is needed.
