Century’s Financial Audit Will Be Late For The Fifth Straight Year In Violation Of State Law
June 6, 2019
The Town of Century’s Annual Financial Report, often referred to simply as an audit, will be late in violation of state law for the fifth straight year.
The legal deadline for submitting the Annual Financial Report, often referred to simply as an audit, to the Florida Department of Financial Services is June 30. But after a series of missteps, the town did not even hire an auditor until this week to do the report that’s due in about three weeks.
At a meeting this week, Hawkins said he had still not hired the auditing firm because he disagreed with a price increase, but primarily because the council had not given him the necessary approval to sign the engagement letter, which is a type of contract with a CPA firm.
Council President Ann Brooks this week said the council had previously voted to accept the increase and authorize the mayor to sign the agreement.
“They voted to accept, but they did not authorize me to sign it,” Hawkins said.
Council member Ben Boutwell then made a motion to authorize the mayor to sign the agreement, and Brooks seconded it. Council member James Smith, first up on the roll call vote, voted “no”,
“You know this is by law that we have to have an audit,” Boutwell said.
“Yeah, but he just said that there’s something he (Hawkins) feels that there’s something that needs to be addressed,” Smith said. After Hawkins told council members to go ahead and vote in favor of him signing the agreement, Smith changed his vote.
“What we have to do is take this harsh lesson that we have to make sure it’s done properly ahead of time,” Smith said.
Mayor Never Received Authority To Hire Auditor
At their last meeting in May, council members learned that the auditor disagreed with claims by Mayor Henry Hawkins as to why the audit had not started for this year, and the council learned for the first time publicly that the town had yet to sign an agreement to hire the auditing firm.
A check of a NorthEscambia.com audio recording of the May 20 meeting confirmed Hawkin’s claim that the council did not give him approval to sign off on the auditor’s contract.
“Can we have a motion to authorize our auditor to proceed with the audit at a minimum fee of $30,000?”, Brooks asked during that meeting. The motion was made by council member Ben Boutwell to pay the $30,000 fee to the auditing firm, up from $21,000 last year.
“I would think you have to vote to authorize the mayor or the clerk to sign the engagement letter,” accountant Robert Hudson advised the the council.
“Any other questions before we vote?”, Brooks asked. The original motion was not amended before being passed unanimously after several minutes of discussion and did not give the signature authority to the mayor.
“Let the records show that we’ve decided to take $9,000 from CTA (funds received from the town’s Capital Trust Agency partnership) and put it with the $21,000 budgeted for the audit,” Brooks said after the May 20 vote.
Why Didn’t The Auditor Start Months Ago, And Why The $9,000 Fee Increase?
Century’s annual audit will cost thousands of dollars more due to several factors, including a scathing grand jury investigation, and the mayor tell did not inform the council for weeks, as NorthEscambia.com learned and first reported last month.
The town was informed in an April 8 email sent to Mayor Henry Hawkins, Town Clerk Kim Godwin, and town CPA Robert Hudson that the auditing firm Warren Averett was increasing their fee from $21,000 last year to a minimum of $30,000 this year.
Hawkins repeatedly told the town council over the last several weeks that the firm would begin the audit after tax season, but he never mentioned receiving any communication from the auditor or the $9,000 fee increase to the council. In the meantime, the audit did not begin due to a lack of an engagement letter (a type of contract with a CPA firm).
But an email obtained by NorthEscambia.com shows Hawkins forwarded the auditor’s email to Chief Deputy Clerk of Finance Kristina Wood on April 9. “FYI,” Hawkins wrote. “Now where do they think we’re getting the money from?”
CPA Kristen McAllister of Warren Averett said in a May 20 email to Town Council President Ann Brooks, “I do not think you have been informed correctly. I reach out to the Clerk, Mayor, and Robert (Hudson) a month ago to discuss a change in the audit contract before we can begin.” She added the delay “did not have anything to do with waiting until after tax season”.
McAllister said the higher audit fee was due to concerns over the utility billing cycle, concerns noted in the grand jury report, incorrect information provided that required multiple adjustments in the past two audits and a failure to follow the audit timeline.
For a previous story with details on the March grand jury report, click here.
Century’s Late Financial Report Submission History
Century’s last five audits were submitted to the state as follows:
- The 2016-2017 report due June 30, 2018, was completed August 10, 2018.
- The 2015-2016 report due June 30, 2017, was completed October 31, 2017.
- The 2014-2015 report due June 30, 2016, was completed February 15, 2017
- The 2013-2014 report due June 30, 2015, was completed November 17, 2015.
- The 2012-2013 audit was completed on time on June 30, 2014.
Pictured: This week’s meeting of the Century Town Council. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Fleeing From Window Tint Traffic Stop
June 6, 2019
A Cantonment allegedly fled from an traffic stop for a window tint violation.
A deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by WT Devon Riley, 33, in the area of North U Street and Fairfield Drive, but he refused to stop, according to an arrest report. The deputy spotted the vehicle a few minutes later at a stop sign in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and ordered Riley out of the vehicle.
Riley was charged with felony fleeing and eluding and driving with a suspended license. He was also cited for a window tint violation. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on an $11,000 bond.
Turning Up The Heat: Learn About Pepper Container Gardening At Molino Library
June 6, 2019
Escambia County Extension Agent Beth Bolles will present a program on “container gardening with some heat” Saturday at the Molino Branch Library.
Bolles will introduce peppers that grow well in the local area.
Materials are provided for the program beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Escambia Man Who threatened To ‘Blow The Baby’s Head Off’ Convicted, Facing Life Sentence
June 6, 2019
An Escambia County man that threatened to “blow the baby’s head off” during a home invasion robbery is facing up to life in prison after being convicted on multiple charges.
Darquavias Tyrell Brown was convicted by an Escambia County jury of home invasion robbery with firearm, one count of false verification of ownership or false identification to a pawnbroker where the jury found the value of the money received was $300 or greater, one count of false verification of ownership or false identification to a pawnbroker, and three counts of dealing in stolen property. The jury also found Brown to be in actual possession of a firearm which carries with it a 10 year minimum mandatory prison sentence.
On April 9, 2018, at around 5:00 a.m. Brown and two unknown individuals burst into an Escambia County home. Brown threatened the residents with a firearm, including pointing the gun at a one year old infant and threatening to “blow the baby’s head off” if they did not give him the money.
After ransacking the residence, Brown took several watches, rings including the wedding rings off of the hand of one of the victims. a Playstation system, Playstation controller, and several games. Two vehicles were stolen from the residence and abandoned shortly thereafter. Several hours after the home invasion robbery, Brown pawned four of the stolen rings and one of the stolen watches at Capital Pawn.
On April 13, 2018, Brown returned to the same pawn shop and sold the stolen Playstation system and games. After being identified as a suspect, Brown was identified by one of the victims in a photo lineup as the individual who threatened them and the infant child with a firearm.
He will be sentenced in July.
Brown has several prior convictions including convictions for carrying a concealed weapon, burglary, assault, resisting officer without violence, trespass and possession of controlled substance. brown also has another case currently pending where he is charged with robbery armed with a firearm.
DeSantis Appoints Local Attorney To Replace Escambia County Judge That Resigned
June 6, 2019
Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed a Pensacola attorney to replace an Escambia County judge that recently resigned.
DeSantis appointed Charles Young to the Escambia County Court.
Young, 58, of Pensacola, has been an attorney at Clark Partington & Hart since 2018. He formerly served as a civics teacher before attending law school. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University and his law degree from Florida State University. Young fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Joyce Williams.
All-Star Baseball, Softball Games Rescheduled (With Rosters)
June 6, 2019
The 20018-19 Subway High School All-Star Series baseball and softball games have been rescheduled for June 19 at University of West Florida’s Jim Spooner Field and Softball Complex in Pensacola.
The head coaches for the west teams, comprised of Escambia County schools, are Northview’s Amy Holland coaching softball and Brett McCullough of Pine Forest High School coaching baseball.
Okaloosa and Santa Rosa County Schools make up the east team. Brian Watson of Jay High School will lead the east softball team while Fort Walton Beach’s Brian McDaniel will coach the east baseball team.
New at this year’s event, Pensacola Sports is holding an equipment drive. Fans are encouraged to bring used / new baseball and softball equipment to be donated to the Miracle League of Pensacola.
Donations can include balls, bats, gloves, bags, cleats, catchers gear, trainings aids, etc. Miracle League of Pensacola officials will be on-site collecting the equipment. Miracle League of Pensacola will also gladly accept donations of monetary value.
Rosters are as follows:
WEST SOFTBALL
Catholic – Casey Durant
Catholic – Josie Madison
Escambia – Hailey Sedig
Escambia – Shelby Ullrich
Northview – Aubree Love
Northview – Makayla Jeneske
Northview – Lydia Smith
Northview – Valen Shelly
Northview – Tori Herrigton
Northview – Kendall Enfinger
Pine Forest – Crystal Hendrickson
Tate – Shelby McLean
Tate – Gabby Locke
Tate — Amber Decoux
Washington- Sumayah Fuavai
West Florida – Kenzi Wiley
West Florida – Amanda Klemm
West Florida – Meredith Morgan
West Florida Mackenzie McBride
EAST SOFTBALL
Baker - Shelby Sloan
Baker - Alyson Watson
Central - Skylair Fortner
Central - Malarie Foster
Choctaw - Alicyn Grete
Choctaw - Peyton Coots
Crestview - Caitlin Black
FWB Heidi Santos
Jay - Alyssa Baxley
Jay - Avarie Jackson
Milton - Kiahna Connell
Milton - Caroline Worrell
Milton - Alyssa Hudson
Navarre - Kallie Anderson
Navarre - Emily Cannington
Navarre - Lakin Grindland
Niceville - Katie Lightfoot
Pace - Ryleigh Baker -
Rocky Bayou - Madison Stubblefield
Rocky Bayou - Haley Nelson
Rocky Bayou - Rominey Willner
Rocky Bayou - Hayden Edelman
WEST BASEBALL
Catholic – Dustin Chabot
Catholic – Robert Black
Catholic – David Stafford
Escambia – William Browne
Escambia – Avery McNair
Escambia – Jayden Baesman
Northview – Seth Killam
PCA – Greg Clark
Pensacola – Jair Green
Pine Forest – Nolan Rigby
Pine Forest – Christian Munoz
Tate – Trey LaFleur
Tate – Hunter McLean
Tate – Easton Sidner
Washington – Sam Jackson
Washington – Colby Livingston
West Florida – Graham Holland
West Florida – Will Hackett
West Florida – John Leland
West Florida – Gavin Coles
West Florida – Derrick Town
West Florida – Dylan Reaves
EAST BASEBALL
Baker - Payton Rockwell
Central - Daryl Peek
Choctaw - Jared Gornto
Choctaw - Kairee Stocker
Choctaw - Brady Peters
Crestview - Coby Aguilar
Crestview - John Gillis
Crestview – Cooper Martin
FWB - Cameron Gagliano
FWB - Alex Holz
FWB - Karsun Barrett
Gulf Breeze Nick Deweese
Gulf Breeze Bryson Smith
Gulf Breeze Enoch Rycroft
Jay - Trevor Flowers
Laurel Hill - Tyler Southard
Milton - Tylor Patterson
Navarre - Cameron Terrian
Navarre - Eric Anderson
Navarre - Kaleb Hellard
Niceville - Connor Walsh
Pace - Aidan Gilroy
Pace - Brandon Sproat
Pace - Ty Kirchharr
Rocky Bayou - Cole Embey
Groundbreaking Held For New Hotel On Nine Mile Road In Beulah
June 6, 2019
A groundbreaking was held Wednesday for a new hotel on Nine Mile Road at I-10.
The 124 room, six-story Courtyard by Marriott-Pensacola West will be the first hotel in Florida as traffic comes into the state along I-10. It is a short distance from the Navy Federal Credit Union campus and is expected to open in the fall of 2020.
The hotel is under development by Southern Ventures of Fort Walton Beach.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Facing Additional Child Porn Charge; FDLE Says 140 Illegal Images Found On His Phone
June 5, 2019
A Molino man free that was free on bond awaiting trial in a 2018 child pornography case is now facing an additional child porn charge.
In 2018, Steven Ryan Godwin, now 37, was charged with 20 counts of possession of child pornography for images allegedly found on his cellphone. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail Tuesday on one count of transmitting child pornography stemming from the same investigation.
In August, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) agents received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that a suspect was uploading child porn to another user on Facebook. Authorities were able to trace the uploads to a residence in the 3500 block of Highway 97 in Molino.
Agents obtained a search warrant that was served at Godwin’s residence in September 2018. When the occupants of the home were exiting, Godwin continued to reach towards his waistband before dropping a LG cell phone, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. The phone was seized and contained child pornography images featuring children under the age of 10, with multiple images including children younger than two years old, according to FDLE.
The transmitting child pornography charge Godwin was arrested for Tuesday is for a file he allegedly sent via Facebook Messenger in 2018. According to an arrest report, it depicted an exposed 11-13 year old nude female sitting against a wall.
Analysis of the phone included the image allegedly sent via Facebook Messenger and 140 child pornography images, the arrest report states.
SRSO: Escambia Man Stopped In Jay Before Drugs, Phones Were Smuggled Into Century Prison
June 5, 2019
A Pensacola man has been arrested for his plan to smuggle “an incredible amount” of drugs and other contraband into the Century Correctional Institution, according to Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson.
Leonard Troutman, 47, was arrested April 30 at the post office in Jay as a habitual suspended license offender. He was later charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine 14 grams or over, marijuana possession with intent to sell and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
A Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy watched as vehicle pulled behind the Jay post office and its lights were turned off. The deputy also heard a thud. When the vehicle pulled away, the deputy conducted the traffic stop that resulted in the license violation arrest.
The deputy discovered an antifreeze bottle behind the post office that obviously did not contain a liquid. He cut it open to find 44 grams of methamphetamine, 20 Ecstasy pills, 7.6 grams of marijuana, 34.6 grams of synthetic marijuana (spice), 22 individual rolled baggies containing hand-rolled cigarettes and chewing tobacco, and several mini cellphones, according to Johnson.
Johnson said Troutman was dropping the package off so someone could pick it up later and smuggle it into the Century prison.
Ascend: No Harm From Liquid Ammonia Release; Some Employees Told To Stay Home
June 5, 2019
A brief release of ammonia in discharge water caused the Ascend Performance Materials Plant in Cantonment to exceed permitted limits and keep some employees at home Tuesday, but company officials said there was no harm to people or the environment.
For a short time Tuesday, the average pH of water leaving Ascend exceeded the permitted limit by about 0.1 for 10 minutes, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The incident was caused by the release of an estimated 10-20 pounds of aqueous ammonia.
“No harm to human health or the environment was observed,” Ascend’s Vice President Global Communications & External Affairs Alison Jahn told NorthEscambia.com.
The incident did lead to the plant notifying some workers to stay home.
“We alerted our non-essential personnel to remain at home since we had to restore our site’s self-contained water system,” Jahn said.
NorthEscambia.com photo.