City’s priority is accountability to the taxpayers

This wasn’t a forensic audit. The auditor states, “We don’t express an opinion or provide any assurance on the information because the limited procedures don’t provide us with sufficient evidence to express an opinion or provide any assurance.”

This year’s audit says the council should review the payroll on a surprise basis, a statement also made by the attorney general’s office. In February 2011, former Alderman Cooper and I did just that, and we were crucified.

This audit states: “There were loans and transfers that weren’t approved by the city council. We suggest the mayor advise the city council about inter-fund loans and transfers before they’re recorded.” In February 2012, Alderman Sisler and I questioned a transfer of funds the mayor made. He said it was perfectly legal to make the transfer and was getting a written document from the city attorney to back his claim. We’re still waiting for that document. This means all transfers and loans must be approved by the council.

I asked the auditor about the discrepancies in some funds. The auditor didn’t know the answer, gave me his card, and asked whether I’d get him the information. I will list the different amounts, as I did at the fiscal year April 30, 2012, council meeting:

Revolving loan/bank balance: $79,318.25; financial report: $25,821.29; audit: $206,000.

Cemetery endowment/bank balance: $55,440; financial report: $1,581.29.

Bond and interest sinking fund/bank balance: $50,869.33; financial report: $10,204.02.

TIF/bank balance: $10.50; financial report $7,172.51.

The city should be run with transparency and accountability; it’s the Mount Carroll taxpayers who we are accountable to.

Note to readers – Doris Bork is an alderwoman for Ward 2 in Mount Carroll.