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City evaluates interim fund-accounting help after finance staff leave and backlog
Summary
With a key finance employee on extended leave and bank reconciliations several months behind, Gaylord staff told the council they are evaluating interim accounting support (ABDO) to complete reconciliations before the audit and are considering cross-training options; staff will report back at the Jan. 5 meeting.
City staff told the Gaylord City Council they are exploring interim fund-accounting assistance after a prolonged staff absence left bank reconciliations about seven months behind.
Steve explained that finance staffer Lori Walz is on extended leave and that the city has obtained an over‑the‑phone estimate from ABDO, a firm that provides interim municipal accounting services. He said ABDO’s services are effective but expensive and that staff will return with a more detailed estimate and options at the Jan. 5 meeting.
Councilors asked whether in‑house cross-training is feasible, whether a current employee (Jolene) would be willing and able to take on additional responsibilities, and whether the absent employee could work remotely to help close the gap. Staff said Jolene has been cross‑trained on some tasks (utility billing and payroll) but municipal fund accounting and bank reconciliations are more specialized and harder to teach quickly.
Staff explained they have pushed the city’s audit back to May to allow extra time and that the bank reconciliations are the immediate priority. Councilors expressed concern about why the reconciliations were months behind before the leave began and asked for clearer explanations and cost estimates at the next meeting.
The council did not authorize a contract at this meeting; staff will return with a detailed estimate, timing and options for interim services or internal training.
