Crockett City Council accepts draft FY2022 audit, appoints election officials, selects grant administrator and downtown consultant, and directs staff to seek Rf

Crockett City Council on Feb. 20 accepted a draft fiscal year 2022 financial audit and approved several administrative and economic development actions, including appointing election officials, selecting a grant administrator for a Texas Department of Agriculture downtown revitalization application and contracting a consultant for a downtown strategic plan.

The council heard from auditor Molly Abele, who said the draft audit is about 99% complete but carries a qualified opinion because the financial statements for the city’s Economic and Industrial Development Corporation (a component unit) were not available due to an ongoing investigation. "This year we have a a what's called a qualified opinion," Abele said, adding the excluded component prevented full review of that entity’s finances. She said she is awaiting an outside confirmation from the city attorney before finalizing the report.

The audit also reflected implementation of new accounting guidance (GASB 87) related to leases; Abele said the city recognized several lease receivables this year (including a Verizon land lease and leases tied to local businesses) and noted the city’s net position increased modestly to just over $11 million. The auditor reported no single-audit compliance issues for federal grants examined.

On procedural items the council moved and carried approval of the regular session minutes and received the police department’s manpower and incident report. The body approved a resolution appointing election judges, setting pay and designating early voting ballot board members and clerks.

For grant work the council approved a resolution to select a grant administrator to support a TDA Community Development Block Grant Downtown Revitalization Program application. Staff reported one sealed proposal was received from Gary Trailer and Associates, a firm that has served the city previously; the council voted to enter the contract.

Members also approved an agreement with Retail Strategies LLC to provide a downtown strategies workshop, market analysis and a downtown strategic plan intended to support the city’s Main Street application. The council previously allocated ARPA funds for the work.

Separately, councilors discussed outsourcing building inspections, plan reviews, permitting and related code-enforcement workload because of increased development. After a substantive discussion on licensing, liability and fee structures, the council authorized the city administrator to seek proposals and return options for contracted inspection and plan-review services.

Actions taken at the meeting were procedural and administrative; the draft audit remains subject to final legal confirmation before the auditor signs the final report, and procurement or contract work will proceed per council direction.