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Palatka staff and commissioners press auditors for clarity on $21K'$24K extra work to finish annual report
Summary
Auditors informed the city they may need roughly $21,000'$24,000 in additional fees to complete the annual comprehensive financial report. Commissioners asked what the extra work would deliver and whether the June 30 deadline is at risk; finance staff said the audit is underway and will seek immediate clarification from the auditors.
City staff told the Palatka City Commission on May 21 that the auditors have requested additional services estimated between $21,000 and $24,000 to complete the city's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), and commissioners asked for immediate detail before approving any extra payment.
Finance Director Chantel Pierre explained the audit is in progress and that the auditor is conducting the single-audit portion; she said the finance office is actively responding to requests. "The ACFR is prepared by our auditor and we're currently in the auditing process at this time. We're at the tail end of it," Pierre said.
Commissioners pressed for specifics: which findings would require extra work, whether the draft memo reflected internal finance concerns or commissioner questions, and whether the additional services are required to meet the June 30 submission deadline. Several commissioners said they would support the city manager's using delegated authority (under $25,000) to approve necessary work if it was shown to be required to meet the deadline; others urged the manager to confirm with the auditor what the extra fee would buy and why the work falls outside the standard scope.
City staff agreed to contact the auditors immediately for clarifying information and to return to the commission with specifics. The discussion did not include a formal vote to approve payment; commissioners signaled conditional support for timely action to protect the audit timetable but asked staff to confirm the auditor's rationale and the exact scope of the extra services.
