Accountant: Century Council Needs To Talk About Grand Jury Findings

April 3, 2019

Century’s accountant has advised the town council they need to hold a series of workshops to discuss recent grand jury findings.

“Per discussion with the town’s attorney, multiple workshops need to be set up to discuss a point or two until all points are resolved to the best of the town’s ability,” accountant Robert Hudson said in a report to the council.

The council did not take immediate action to schedule any workshop meetings and has had little or no public discussion of the grand jury report since it was released a month ago.

A grand jury found the Town of Century lost over $1 million in utility accounts in just two years, can’t account for over 40 percent of their natural gas, made loans not revealed on audits for 14 years, improperly borrowed about $3 million from restricted accounts with a 750-year payback plan, and is a state of financial emergency.

The grand jury also recommended that Century sell the assets of its utility services – sanitation, natural gas, and water and sewer – and use the proceeds to repay the amounts borrowed from restricted special revenue funds.

Pictured: Century town council members (L-R) Luis Gomez, Ann Brooks and Ben Boutwell at their regular meeting this week. Council members Sandra McMurry-Jackson and James Smith were absent. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

12 Responses to “Accountant: Century Council Needs To Talk About Grand Jury Findings”

  1. TME on April 4th, 2019 9:38 am

    @ Bow Hunter

    What was the purpose of Mr. Smith running for office? Why don’t he just resign and let a qualified individual like Mrs. Mary take his place. He needs to let someone that has the time and dedication to actual represent the citizen of Century. Maybe at this point in time; if the people of Century keep choosing to elect these unqualified individuals, than maybe the citizen of Century get what they deserve. Anyone with a brain can see this man has no clue as to how to run a Governmental entity. I want to see the Church he so called pastors financial records!

  2. Florida logger on April 3rd, 2019 7:56 pm

    If the mayor would stop letting his quote on quote people and friend have free utilities then maybe century wouldn’t be in debt. Did I just pull the race card

  3. david on April 3rd, 2019 4:53 pm

    Step back and let the Florida governor finish this.

  4. chris on April 3rd, 2019 2:03 pm

    “(and possibly sewage) in ” enough sewage in Century already.

  5. David Huie Green on April 3rd, 2019 11:54 am

    REGARDING:
    “The town doesn’t own any “assets”. Utilities losing over $1 million are a huge liability.”

    Those are assets. The problem lies in selling less gas than they buy — possibly having more expenses than sales would support, but definitely not keeping up with water and gas (and possibly sewage) in versus out.

    David for keeping track

  6. IMHO on April 3rd, 2019 9:13 am

    What more evidence do you need to prove they don’t care?? Y’all make comments to elect new council members, well the newest elected member doesn’t even go to meetings! Glad we listened to friends when we relocated and didn’t move to Century!!

  7. Chris on April 3rd, 2019 8:57 am

    Traditionally, when an entity begins to sell off assets / liabilities, it means the beginning of the end is in sight. When your selling things off in order to pay bills, that’s never a good thing. Plus, ignoring the truth does not make it go away.

  8. BOWHUNTER on April 3rd, 2019 8:55 am

    How Many Meeting’s Is James Smith Going To Miss This Year Since Being Elected To Office

  9. tg on April 3rd, 2019 8:27 am

    The Mayor told us not to say anything publicly and he is the Boss.

  10. DLo on April 3rd, 2019 7:15 am

    It’s honestly pathetic that they would need a city employee to point this out to these so call “community leaders” .

  11. Oversight on April 3rd, 2019 5:43 am

    “The grand jury also recommended that Century sell the assets of its utility services…”

    The town doesn’t own any “assets”. Utilities losing over $1 million are a huge liability. By the way, are there any known potential buyers? Hey, there’s some ocean front property in New Mexico for sale too. LOL!

  12. Anne on April 3rd, 2019 5:31 am

    Oh My Goodness Gracious, right now it sounds as if the Century Town Council is going to ignore the findings of the Grand Jury?
    Is this like one of those things if they don’t respond it will just go away?
    Totally Unacceptable, a Good Move would be for them to do everything possible in the sunshine and in accordance with the findings of the Grand Jury to try and make things “Right” for the citizens.
    This whole thing just has a bad smell to it. What a Mess.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News