Century Hiring Firm Now To Avoid Late Audit For Sixth Straight Year

September 25, 2019

The Town of Century is exercising a contract option to hire an auditor to avoid late filing for a sixth straight year.

They are engaging Warren-Averett to perform the town’s fiscal year 2018-2019 audit. The fiscal year does not end until September 30, and Interim Town Manager Buz Eddy said the town is getting ahead of the game to avoid being late with the audit that is not due to the state until June 30, 2020.

Warren-Averett will charge the same $30,000 fee as their 2017-2018 audit for the town. The fee was increased from $21,000 in the 2016-2017 fiscal year because due to concerns over the utility billing cycle, concerns noted in a grand jury report, incorrect information provided that required multiple adjustments in the previous audits and a failure to follow an audit timeline.

The town’s audit has been late in violation of state law for the past five years.

Pictured: Mayor Henry Hawkins listens as auditor Kristen McAllister presents her 2018-2019 findings during an August 2019 meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

17 Responses to “Century Hiring Firm Now To Avoid Late Audit For Sixth Straight Year”

  1. Wow at wow on September 28th, 2019 4:19 pm

    This city council can never finish anything.. they talk the “POOR ME AND MY TOWN” But they are the ones taking taking taking…. From business trucks and any other equipment they want to use for personal use, they do, at the cities expense… The tried the sawmill WATED MONEY.. built the new apartments LORD is anyone living in those????? I say stop auditing the DAMN CITIES BOOKS and do the council’s personal book!!!!! HUMMMM who is taking what now?????

  2. Skeptic on September 27th, 2019 11:16 am

    @Confused – I guess maybe you haven’t noticed lately how the county is being run and how many people have just walked off from their job because of issues. Century would be in even more of a mess if the county tried to take it on. The county is having a hard time managing what they are responsible for now.

    It really sounds like maybe they are improving a little with the outside help. At least it isn’t a month before the audit due date and we find out the mayor hasn’t even hired the audit company yet…

  3. Confused on September 26th, 2019 1:44 am

    Why do we continue to deal with issues with the City Council? The County and Board of County Commissioners need to absorb the small town government, we continue to have problems and issues. Allow the commissioners run the whole County, where more accountability can be implemented and monitored.

  4. William Reynolds on September 25th, 2019 11:51 pm

    “It seems to me the city keeps paying others to do a job they should have done themselves because that is their job.”

    They are required by law to have a yearly audit conducted by an outside firm. They cannot perform this task with their staff.

  5. Mandatory business on September 25th, 2019 10:39 pm

    The monies to fund the audit will be found. Other things may have to be set aside temporarily, but they will find the funding. The auditing firm may even accept payments for the audit. Regardless, the audit is mandatory.

  6. Stumpknocker on September 25th, 2019 10:16 pm

    I maybe wrong. It seems to me the city keeps paying others to do a job they should have done themselves because that is their job.

  7. Skeptic on September 25th, 2019 1:03 pm

    To all you who wonder how they can afford this, I’m sure there must be money in one of the 26 bank accounts that’s set aside for these audits, since they are a yearly requirement by state law…

  8. chris on September 25th, 2019 12:10 pm

    I’m pretty sure the state realizes what they are dealing with. The Three Stooges could run a town better than the current administration.

  9. curious on September 25th, 2019 11:01 am

    Just wondering… On the previous late audits, is there a monetary penalty to the town when the audit is late?? I’m guessing no as hopefully someone would attempt to get them done on time…

  10. chris on September 25th, 2019 10:47 am

    Somehow the adage of getting blood out of a rock comes to mind……

  11. David on September 25th, 2019 8:42 am

    I am going to make a movie about and on Century ..
    It will be called, “The little town that couldn’t “

  12. Clay on September 25th, 2019 8:14 am

    Bravo Mr. Eddy!

  13. Bob C. on September 25th, 2019 6:31 am

    Ah, of course there’d be a way out. An Escape Route, Rabbit Hole to dodge into by the slippery crew of the Council and Mayor.
    Hope the folks hired to do the audit get paid Up Front and in a Certified Check.
    Just shaking my head and going for more coffee.

  14. How and why on September 25th, 2019 6:07 am

    How is century always trying to spend money when they don’t have any i for one am over hearing about century its becoming a daily event

  15. Just saying on September 25th, 2019 5:55 am

    The mayor always has a look on his face like he’s not in the room or just doesn’t care. Same look all the time. Same trouble all the time. Town loosing money right and left or the towns not doing what is required by the government! I know lots of people in the city limits that could be doing a lots better job than he is. I know the lady on HUDSON hill that has the store and restaurant could do a better job! At least she has the look for it. She has concern on her face when the gas man quit! I wonder how much needs to be done before impeachment proceedings will start? Boy enough is enough! No progress here!

  16. Master Mechanic on September 25th, 2019 3:31 am

    Thought & have Read Century was / is broke ??? How is it they have $30,000.00 grand to pay for an Audit ?????Please explain

  17. citizen on September 25th, 2019 1:19 am

    Stay on them. They can get free calendars from the bank or hardware store and mark it. Get grants for the water and sewer improvements. Did anybody show them how to write a check and pay a bill on time yet?