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Council approves $30,000 pilot for accounting advisory services to address audit and reconciliation issues
Summary
Council authorized a time-limited agreement with BST to provide an initial accounting assessment and advisory services (up to $30,000) to close audit gaps and reconcile Munis; council members sought clarity on scope, RFP process and the timeline for deciding on further spending.
The Cortland Common Council approved a resolution authorizing an accounting and advisory agreement with BST to help reconcile financial systems, complete outstanding filings and address audit findings. The mayor and staff described BST’s role as an initial assessment (the first $10,000) followed by implementation work funded out of the $30,000 allocation, with monthly progress reports back to council.
Council members asked why staff did not run an RFP for the work and voiced concern about establishing a potentially long‑standing relationship with a single firm without broader procurement. The mayor and finance staff said the service is a niche professional service, time is sensitive and BST had already provided an initial no‑charge interview. Several council members said they were comfortable with a capped initial appropriation but asked for clear deliverables and a finance‑committee review; staff agreed to bring reports and cost estimates to council as the assessment proceeds.
A roll‑call vote was recorded; the motion passed with a majority and one recorded "No." Council directed that BST spend up to $30,000 only with further council approval beyond the initial assessment budget.
