‘Deteriorating Financial Conditions’ – Century To Discuss Audit Findings In Workshop Meeting
January 6, 2018
The Century Town Council has scheduled a workshop to discuss findings of their fiscal year 2015-2016 audit. The workshop will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 9.
The audit uncovered numerous financial problems in Century during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016. Those findings included deteriorating financial conditions that could result in a future “financial emergency”, $3.83 million in transferred special revenue funds that must be repaid to another fund, over $1.4 million in expenditures in violation of state statutes, over $5,000 in a bank account that did not appear on the books and other deficiencies.
According to the audit obtained by NorthEscambia.com:
- The town’s overall financial condition demonstrates signs of deterioration which, if not corrected, could result in a future financial emergency. The town’s general fund borrowed $285,248 from its special revenue fund to cover general operations of the town during the year under audit. As of September 30, 2016, the general fund owes the special revenue fund approximately $3.83 million. The revenues in the special revenue fund are restricted for specific purposes, and therefore, these funds will have to be repaid or it will be considered an inappropriate use of the restricted revenues.
- The town reported 2016 fiscal year expenditures in excess of budgeted amounts of $1,424,694 for the general fund, which is in violation of Section 166.241(3), Florida Statutes. Budget-to-actual comparison schedules were not provided to town council on a regular basis during the fiscal year under audit.
- A bank account for utility payment receipts was not recorded or reconciled in the town’s accounting software and was not recorded in the general ledger. However, the account held a year-end balance of $5,078.
- Capital outlay was not properly recorded and the capitalization threshold policy of $500 was not properly followed during the year under audit. Audit adjustments were necessary to correct capital asset account balances in all funds. In addition, capital assets purchases are not consistently identified and therefore these items are not properly tagged and inventoried. This inconsistent recording and tracking of capital assets causes asset balances to be misstated and allows for possible misappropriation of assets.
- Several general ledger accounts were not reconciled to detail supporting ledgers in a timely manner, and audit adjustments from the 2015 fiscal year audit were not posted until June 2017. Town management adjusted several general ledger accounts, resulting in $163,386 recorded in miscellaneous expenditures in the general fund.
- Bank reconciliations were prepared each month, however these reconciliations did not properly reconcile to the general ledger, and lacked adequate and timely review. The review of the September 30, 2016 bank reconciliations, and posting of necessary adjustments for proper reconciliation to the general ledger records was not completed until August 2017.
- The town does not have a formal written travel policy. The mayor is receiving a travel stipend of $590 per month. The auditors recommend town management establish a formal travel policy that is compliant with Florida Statute 112.061.
- The town did not follow Florida statutes regarding the required submission of financial reports for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016.
According to the 58-page audit, the town is in agreement with the findings and will put a corrective action in place to address the issues.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
UWF Raises $64.4 Million, Exceeding Campaign Goal
January 6, 2018
The University of West Florida is celebrating the success of the 50th Anniversary Capital Campaign, which raised more than $64.4 million by almost 20,000 donors, including 55 planned gifts and nearly $18 million in scholarships.
“We are truly grateful for the generosity of the community we serve, the alumni we have graduated and the friends we have made over the years,” said UWF President Martha D. Saunders. “Their belief and willingness to contribute to the work we do has created a spirited community of learners launching the next generation of big thinkers who will change the world.”
The campaign’s priorities for areas of giving in alignment with the University’s future vision were outlined as follows: health sciences; science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM; business, economic development and valued partnerships; historic preservation, education and tourism; scholarships; and athletics.
In addition to surpassing its historic fundraising goal of $50 million, the campaign featured some of the largest gifts in the University’s history, including more than $5 million from Dr. Usha and Mahadeb Kundu to name the College of Health and another $5 million from Harold E. “Hal” Marcus to name the College of Science and Engineering.
Other notable gifts included $3.1 million from an anonymous donor to establish an endowment for need-based scholarships that will assist deserving students in their pursuit of the American Dream, and $1 million from Dr. Bob Kimball, UWF marketing and economics professor, to create the Bill and Ellie Kimball Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship Award in memory of his parents.
The University raised more than $48 million of the campaign’s total during its quiet phase, which launched in 2011.
Escambia County Waives Permit, Inspection Fees for Freeze-Related Pipe Damage
January 6, 2018
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners has temporarily waived permitting and inspection fees for damages to plumbing piping related to the recent hard freezes in the area.
Fees will be waived for 14 days beginning Thursday, Jan. 4 and ending at close of business Thursday, Jan. 18. The waiver is not retroactive, and refunds will not be issued for fees incurred prior to Jan. 4.
Please note that this waiver only applies to permit and inspection fees. Permits are still required as usual.
The waived fees were proposed by the Escambia County Building Services Department and the Building Services Inspection Fund Advisory Board in an effort to lessen the hardship or cost to the consumer for freeze-related pipe damages. Once the consumer obtains a plumbing contractor to make the appropriate repairs, they will obtain the permitting with the waived fees reflected.
For more information, please contact Building Services at 850-595-3550 or buildinginspections@myescambia.com.
Pete Shinnick Named D2 National Coach of the Year
January 6, 2018
University of West Florida head football coach Pete Shinnick was named the D2Football.com National Coach of the Year, while standouts Marvin Conley and John Williamson were recognized as part of the organization’s All-America Team.
Shinnick led the Argonauts to an 11-4 record and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game in their second season of competition. UWF went 5-3 in the ultra-competitive Gulf South Conference to finish tied for second. The Argonauts won a school record six-consecutive games which included five against nationally ranked teams en route to the title game appearance.
The Argos had the nation’s 20th-ranked defense and were in the top 20 in sacks, turnovers gained, interceptions, fumbles recovered, fourth down defense and defensive touchdowns. Much of that was due to first-year defensive coordinator Darian Dulin’s group, including Conley and Williamson.
Conley was one of the top defensive backs in the country, finishing with a team-high 104 tackles, four interceptions, six pass break ups, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. The junior from Tampa had at least five tackles in 11 of 15 games this season, in addition to a pair of interception returns for a touchdown.
Williamson had 70 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks. He established a new Gulf South Conference single-season record for sacks as well. The junior from Stockton, Alabama had at least one sack in each of the last seven games with 12 total over that time frame.
Both players were voted onto the honorable mention list after earning second team All-America accolades last month from the Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association.
Man Wanted For Burglaries in Escambia County And Bay Minette
January 6, 2018
Authorities are searching for an Escambia County man wanted on burglary charges in two states.
Stevie Lamar Williams is a suspect in numerous residential burglaries at homes and churches in the Bay Minette area. The Bay Minette Police Department has active burglary warrants for Williams’ arrest as does Escambia County, FL.
Williams’ last known address in Bay Minette was a residence located on Moran Street, but Bay Minette Police said Williams is from the Pensacola area and maybe hiding from law enforcement with Florida relatives. Anyone with information related to Williams whereabouts is asked call the Bay Minette Police Department at (251) 580-2559 or their local law enforcement agency.
By The Numbers: Nine Mile Road Checkpoint
January 6, 2018
The Florida Highway Patrol, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) partnered to conduct a roadside checkpoint on Nine Mile Road near Kohls on December 29.
During the operation, vehicles were stopped to check for driver impairment with roadside sobriety testing performed on site.
Officials said this week that approximately 470 vehicles were stopped to check for driver impairment. A total of 68 tickets, one DUI citation, and five criminal citations were issued.
The checkpoint was part of a nationwide campaign to prevent people from drinking and driving through the holiday season.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Drill Baby – Elsewhere
January 6, 2018
Bipartisanship is hard to come by these days.
But President Donald Trump found a way to bring together Florida Republicans and Democrats this week when his administration proposed allowing offshore oil and gas drilling in areas of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico that have been off-limits.
The proposal drew howls of protest from Republican and Democratic leaders in Florida, where offshore drilling is something of a third-rail political issue.
Meanwhile, the race to replace Gov. Rick Scott got a little more interesting Friday, when Republican Congressman Ron DeSantis formally entered the race. DeSantis’ announcement wasn’t a surprise, but the GOP primary is looking more and more like a big-money slugfest.
OIL RIGS AND TOURIST-FILLED BEACHES
If Scott challenges U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., in this year’s election, it will be a nasty race. That much is almost assured.
But Scott and Nelson rushed Thursday to criticize the Trump administration’s announcement that nearly all of the nation’s outer continental shelf — a jurisdictional term describing submerged lands 10.36 statutory miles off Florida’s west coast and 3 nautical miles off the east coast — will be considered for drilling.
“Based on media reports, it is likely that the Department of the Interior will consider Florida as a potential state for offshore oil drilling — which is something I oppose in Florida,” Scott said in a prepared statement shortly before Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke unveiled the drilling proposal. “I have already asked to immediately meet with Secretary Zinke to discuss the concerns I have with this plan and the crucial need to remove Florida from consideration.”
Nelson described the plan as “an assault on Florida’s economy, our national security, the will of the public and the environment.”
“This proposal defies all common sense, and I will do everything I can to defeat it,” he said.
Pointing to the state’s all-important tourism industry and fears of oil washing up on beaches, Florida politicians have long railed against the idea of expanded offshore drilling. Drilling opponents raised the specter Thursday of a Deepwater Horizon-type disaster.
“As the state with the longest coastlines in the continental United States, Florida is especially vulnerable to oil spills,” U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., said. “Have we forgotten so soon the devastating damage caused by the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010?”
But David Mica, executive director of the Florida Petroleum Council, said the Trump administration proposal would benefit consumers and the economy.
“Allowing us to explore our offshore energy will boost our state economy and spur investment — all while safely coexisting with our agriculture, tourism and fishing industries as well as U.S. military operations,” Mica said in a statement. “The administration has recognized that the ability to access our abundant offshore resources in a safe and environmentally responsible way will help our nation meet our energy needs well into the future.”
GETTING READY TO RUMBLE
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam has long looked like the front-runner in this year’s race to replace Scott. Putnam has been elected statewide twice, can raise piles of cash and knows how the levers of power work in Tallahassee.
But DeSantis’ formal entrance into the race Friday sets up a battle for the Republican nomination — a battle that could grow more intense if House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, gets in the race.
DeSantis has been publicly praised by Trump and has lined up some heavy hitters as financial supporters, including Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, Republican mega-donor Rebekah Mercer and Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus.
DeSantis, of Palm Coast, has served in Congress since 2013 and is a former Navy lawyer who received a history degree from Yale University and a law degree from Harvard Law School.
“As somebody who is a military officer, an Iraq veteran, a proven conservative, and then with the support of the president, I’m in a position to exercise the leadership that can build on the great work that Gov. Rick Scott has done to advance economic opportunity, reform education and to drain the swamp in Tallahassee, which needs to be drained just like Washington,” DeSantis said during an appearance Friday on the Fox News show “Fox & Friends.”
But the Putnam campaign immediately went on the attack.
“Floridians need a Florida first conservative like Adam Putnam to serve them as their next governor, not a Washington D.C. insider,” Putnam spokeswoman Amanda Bevis said in a statement. “In true Washington insider fashion, Congressman Ron DeSantis announced his latest campaign from an empty TV studio to broadcasters in New York. DeSantis is a typical Washington politician who is focused on nothing more than his next promotion.”
STORY OF THE WEEK: The Trump administration announced a proposal for expanded oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, drawing opposition from Florida leaders.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Our goal certainly isn’t to cross Gov. Scott. Just because we may differ on issues from time to time doesn’t mean that we can’t have an incredibly strong and good relationship.” — Trump spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders on the drilling issue.
by Jim Saunders and Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Fire Sparked In Heating System At Century Whataburger
January 5, 2018
A heating system fire forced the temporary closure of the Whataburger restaurant on North Century Boulevard Friday morning.
The 6:35 a.m. blaze was reportedly confined to a HVAC unit on the roof of the rear of the building.
The restaurant was evacuated the the electricity cut off as a result of the 6:30 a.m. fire.
There were no injuries reported.
The restaurant has since reopened with no structural or interior damage.
The Century, McDavid and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Flomaton Fire Department, Atmore Fire Department and the Jay Fire Department were all dispatched to the call, along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
BOCC Approves Tax Breaks For Company Looking To Relocate 35 Jobs To Cantonment
January 5, 2018
The Escambia County Commission Thursday night voted to approve a tax break and incentive package for a small manufacturing company looking to relocate 35 jobs to the Central Commerce Park off Highway 29 in Cantonment.
The name of company and their product has not yet been revealed as economic development negotiations continue….they are currently known publicly only as “Project Fisher”.
“They are manufacturers; they manufacture a product…that is very unique and it’s a very niche market. And they are developing a second product,” Commission Chairman Jeff Bergosh said. “There’s growth potential in the second product for which here has been a patent applied for and granted. And it fits within the Florida type lifestyle.”
The commission approved an Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption (EDATE) of 69.23 percent on real estate taxes per year for 10 years, and a total incentive of $105,000 based upon 35 jobs at $3,000 each. The incentive will be redeemed at $10,500 per year for 10 years. The company will be audited annual for a decade to ensure they are providing the promised jobs.
While it is known that the company will relocate some executives to Escambia County, the county commission is requesting that they have a local hiring preference for the remaining positions.
If the company accepts the EDATE and incentives, they will go back before the commission for final tax break and incentive approvals, at which time the company’s name and product will be revealed.
“They are good fit for Escambia County and District 5,” Commissioner Steven Barry said following the commission meeting. “These are real jobs on property that has been empty for years in the commerce park.” He said Project Fisher, presented to the commission by the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance, has been property vetted.
The company has been in operation elsewhere in the country for 50 years. Their new location in Cantonment will serve as their primary corporate and manufacturing location to produce the company’s specialized products. The business has committed to 35 jobs with an average annual wage of $50,000. They are expected to invest about $7 million for their new 70,000 square foot facility in the Central Commerce Park.
Commissioner Douglas Underhill voted against both the incentive and EDATE.
“I have no idea who this company is, or what they are actually willing to bring to the table,” Underhill said. “It says they are going to build a $7 million facility. OK, but when they build their $7 million facility, they will then have a $7 million asset. To use that term that they are investing that money in Escambia isn’t entirely accurate.”
“I don’t think we are giving a whole lot if we get a manufacturing type firm that comes in here, takes root, they do what they say they are going to do — they generate jobs. It’s all about jobs. Manufacturing jobs, that’s a targeted sector we are trying to grow in this area….We need a manufacturing sector,” Bergosh said.
Pictured: The Escambia County Commission Thursday night. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Charged With Stealing Over $64K From Her Employer
January 5, 2018
An Escambia County woman has been arrested for allegedly stealing over $64,000 from her employer over a two year period.
Linda Lee Hanford, 51, was charged with felony grand theft and felony scheme to defraud for diverting the money from internet sales to her personal account.
Handford was hired to run an internet site selling electric golf cart accessories by Lender Services, owned by automotive dealer Eddie Mercer. As a contract employee, she was paid $13.50 per hour to take orders, pass the orders to a vendor for delivery to customers and transfer the customer’s payment into a Lender Services bank account.
She would sell products at or below cost and keep the entire cost of the product for herself, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
At the time Hanford was hired by Lender Services she was, and remains, on probation for a local felony theft conviction in 2005. In 2006, she was ordered to have “no job receiving funds or paying out funds”.
Once Hanford was contacted by a Sheriff’s Office investigator and her probation officer, she sent several rambling text messages to Mercer, begging his forgiveness, blaming her actions on jealousy and depression and stating she was undergoing treatment for a “severe compulsive disorder”, according to an arrest report.
Hanford was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $25,000 bond.