Yanceyville council approves $175,944 budget amendment, CARES grant ordinance and audit contract extension

The Town of Yanceyville Town Council on March 7 approved a series of financial and governance items, including Budget Amendment III, a grant project ordinance tied to CARES Act funding, and an extension of the town's audit contract.

Town Manager Kamara Barnett read Budget Amendment III, which the ordinance describes as producing a net $175,944 increase in General Fund appropriations and matching revenue adjustments for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. Councilman Keith Tatum moved to approve the amendment; Mayor Pro Tem Odessa Gwynn seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The council also adopted Grant Project Ordinance #2023‑2 authorizing execution of a CARES Act–related grant from Caswell County. The ordinance text presented at the meeting lists anticipated grant revenue of $136,557.00 and project appropriation lines; the project‑summary section contains an apparent transcription inconsistency (one line lists a total project appropriation as $136,577.00 while revenue is shown as $136,557.00). Town staff presented the ordinance as read and council approved it without amendment.

Barnett explained the town's prior auditor was unable to complete the audit due to illness; the council voted unanimously to amend and extend audit services with Cobb, Ezekiel & Loy Company, P.A., through May 31, 2023, to ensure completion and review of financial statements.

The council also approved a proposal to add permanent voting seats on the Caswell Economic Development Commission for the Caswell Chamber of Commerce, Piedmont Community College, North Carolina Cooperative Extension–Caswell County and the Caswell Health Collaborative; Mayor Alvin Foster moved the change and the motion carried unanimously.

Votes at a glance
- Adopt agenda as amended (added Item 4a): unanimous (Mayor Alvin Foster, Mayor Pro Tem Odessa Gwynn, Councilman Keith Tatum).
- Consent agenda (Feb. 7 minutes): unanimous.
- Amend/extend audit contract (Cobb, Ezekiel & Loy): unanimous.
- Approve Budget Amendment III (net $175,944): unanimous.
- Adopt Grant Project Ordinance #2023‑2 (CARES grant): unanimous.
- Add permanent seats to Caswell EDC: unanimous.

What happens next
Town staff will proceed with audit completion under the extended contract and with implementing the grant project accounting directives in the ordinance. The Finance Director has been directed by the ordinance to maintain detailed accounting records and to report quarterly on project finances.

Clarifying note: the grant ordinance as recorded at the meeting shows a mismatch between one listed total appropriation amount and the grant revenue line; staff said the ordinance was approved as presented and will provide the formal grant documentation and corrected figures in town records.