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McBee council hires CPA to review books; mayor opposes meeting date as council disputes recreation letter
Summary
The council approved hiring Rebecca Lee, CPA, for a targeted financial review of general and utility funds for $2,500 and scheduled a special meeting in late September to review findings; the mayor objected to the meeting date and a mayoral letter on recreation volunteer guidelines failed for lack of a second.
The McBee Town Council on Sept. 7 voted to hire Rebecca Lee, CPA, for a short-term review of the town’s general ledger and utility fund accounting, and to recommend corrections to procedures and internal controls. The consultant’s fee was set at $2,500 and the council set a special meeting in late September to review her findings.
Council Member A.C. McLeod moved to hire Rebecca Lee to work with staff (Terri King, Clerk Tisha Jones and Latondra Johnson) to complete tasks by Friday, Sept. 17; Glenn Odom seconded the motion. According to the minutes, the motion passed with council members A.C. McLeod, Glenn Odom, Beulah Bolton and Charlie Sutton voting in favor and Mayor John Campolong opposing because he objected to the scheduled special-meeting date.
Earlier in the meeting Mayor Campolong read a letter (dated Aug. 17, 2021) proposing guidelines for recreation volunteers that would require indemnification statements, place facility control with the town, and require council approval for expenses and revenue handling. Council Member Glenn Odom said he disagreed with several items in the mayor’s draft. Mayor Campolong moved to accept the letter into the record, but his motion failed for lack of a second; the minutes record the letter as having been read and entered into the meeting minutes as the mayor’s communication, not as approved policy.
The consultant’s scope, as approved by the council, includes: a review and correction of general ledger entries for the General Fund and Utility Fund; evaluation and recommended updates to manuals and procedures; an assessment of internal controls and assignment of duties; an evaluation of the financial condition of both funds; and a review of the budget process. The consultant will present findings at a special meeting (Sept. 23 or Sept. 28 was discussed; council expressed a preference for Sept. 28) and return for follow-up review and corrective-action assistance.
Clerk Tisha Jones was asked to confirm the vote and to prepare the necessary meeting notices and documentation. During public comment, a resident thanked the council for its service. The meeting adjourned by unanimous consent.
