Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Government Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve audit contract; commissioners debate in-person budget retreat safety
Summary
Board approved a $43,400 audit contract with Carr, Riggs & Ingram (including a $3,950 increase to prepare the CAFR) and discussed COVID-19 safety and format for an upcoming Feb. 24–25 budget retreat; County Manager said meeting is permissible under guidance and would use distancing and hybrid participation.
The Martin County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 10 approved an audit contract extension with Carr, Riggs & Ingram (CRI) that includes a $3,950 increase — bringing the proposed contract to $43,400 — to allow CRI to complete the county’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).
County Manager James Bennett said the finance office had increasingly complex reporting requirements and that the proposed increase would allow auditors to compose the CAFR. Commissioner Joe R. Ayers moved to approve the contract; Commissioner Emily Biggs seconded and the board voted unanimously to approve the contract.
Later, Commissioner Ayers raised concerns that the county’s planned Feb. 24–25 budget retreat at Moratoc Park could violate COVID-19 gathering guidance and asked that commissioners consider a virtual alternative, citing case increases at the courthouse. Bennett responded that the UNC School of Government guidance indicated government meetings were excluded from the 10-person limit and described measures to limit the number of people in the room at any one time, use masks, and allow virtual participation for some staff. Chairman Ronnie Smith said the retreat is necessary for budgeting work and that Moratoc Park offered space to maintain distancing; the board agreed to allow virtual participation for staff with health concerns.
No changes to the retreat date were made during the meeting.
