Resident tells finance committee $500,000 federal grant sitting at First Baptist Church; urges fresh audit

Dan Bryndel, a Ward 3 resident, used his two minutes of public comment to raise concerns about local grant stewardship and the city’s audit oversight. Bryndel said a federal grant of about $500,000 that was intended for health and human services “is sitting in the First Baptist Church” and that, "according to Alan Wolf, nothing is going on with that project." He urged the committee to consider hiring an auditor who has not worked for the city for many years so the public can get a fresh set of eyes on finances.

Committee members did not verify the status of the project during the meeting. Director Nardi responded in the discussion that external auditors examine the city’s financial records and compliance with grant reporting requirements, but do not track or manage projects. “This type of audit does not say, 'You're using money for project X and I don't think you should,'" she said, adding, “They just make sure our books are in the appropriate order..." The committee agreed those are different responsibilities and that the finance committee could take up additional oversight or internal-process review at a future meeting if warranted.

Bryndel’s statement was presented as a constituent concern and not as committee-verified fact. Committee members suggested staff follow up as needed and emphasized that the current agenda’s focus was choosing an auditor to recommend to the full council.

The committee did not take formal action on the public comment itself; its formal action during the meeting was a unanimous recommendation to forward Scanlon Associates to the full City Council for approval of the audit contract for fiscal years 2027–2029.