Select board authorizes town manager to pursue pre-audit engagement with Barry Dunn firm

The select board voted 5-0 to authorize the town manager to engage with the audit firm Barry Dunn and a company offering "pre-audits" to prepare the town's financial records for a full audit.

Staff described the service as a preparatory step — doing legwork and assembling records for an auditor to complete and sign. Staff said the company has helped other Maine towns find auditors and that the firm would work up to an agreed amount and not exceed it without authorization. "I just want authorization from the board to engage with Barry Dunn to do pre audits for 2425," staff said; no specific not-to-exceed amount was provided in the meeting and staff said they would return with the proposed cap.

Board members expressed support for moving forward so the town can complete overdue audit work and continue searching for an auditor; the motion passed 5-0. The board did not commit a dollar amount in open session; staff said the firm would propose an up-to amount for board review before any expenditure.