Committee urges monthly reconciliations, fuller Tyler Munis use and staffing to prevent repeat audit problems

Committee members singled out the volume of corrective journal entries and untimely reconciliations as primary contributors to the material weakness designation. One committee member asked whether reconciliations had been done only at year end and how the city will ensure timely monthly reviews going forward.

An auditor summarized the condition: "Bank reconciliations were behind. They were being done, but they were not being done what we would consider timely." Finance Director Marcia Solo and the finance manager (Chase) said they will move toward monthly closes and reconciliations of AP, AR and payroll sub-ledgers with the general ledger, and that Carol (staff) has worked to make the process better. The city plans to make fuller use of Tyler Munis and a contract with Debtbook to help with GASB 87/96 lease reporting.

Committee members also urged that the corrective-action plan address root causes, notably staffing shortages. A member asked the finance leadership to raise staffing needs promptly so the council can consider resource changes to support the needed process improvements.