Board reviews HVAC invoices and finance update; audit draft expected

At the Dec. 4 board meeting Columbus County Schools’ finance and auxiliary services staff presented facility invoices and a budget/audit update.

Auxiliary services reported invoices tied to HVAC work at South Columbus High School: invoice 813386 for $125,965 (labor and installation), invoice 972206 for $194,000 (second payment for installation and labor), invoice 958180 for $44,025.64 (final payment to Johnson Controls for gym air conditioning), and invoice 502294 for $16,000 (electrical hookup). For East Columbus High School the board received installment invoice 53,294 for $170,000 for labor and installation; district staff said installations are finishing and only controls hookup remains and will be completed in-house shortly. The district also reported METCON pre-construction applications (examples listed adding to pre-construction totals reported).

Finance director Nolan provided allotment and expense percentages as of Dec. 1: state funds expensed at about 41.76% (~$20,020,000), local current expense ~48.69% (~$3,200,000), and federal funds ~30.39% (~$1,970,000). The auditors are finalizing financial statements and a draft was expected the following day; the district remains on track for the Dec. 31 deadline. No budget amendment was required immediately; the director said staff will reevaluate in January.

Board members asked procedural questions about remaining contract work and timing. The meeting later moved into closed session under G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) for attorney consultation and confidential matters.

The transcript lists invoice numbers and amounts as reported; motions to accept the informational reports were taken as routine and no separate procurement votes were recorded in the meeting minutes.