What is Really Going on at City Hall?
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Well I read the headlines of the Matagorda Advocate this morning. I had already seen the three “reports” prepared by the City Treasurer and published on the Happy Radio web site. These reports are the most unprofessional babble I have ever read. The City Treasurer is not licensed by the State of Texas to practice accounting and cannot issue “audit” reports. Were these “audits” authorized by city council? Were these “audits” approved by City Council? Were they presented to the CDC board of directors? Do we issue personal opinions and accusations to the press willy-nilly? Was anyone given a chance to respond? I think not.
As a CPA who strives to follow standards established by both the AICPA and the OMB, I am puzzled by these reports. The Institute of Internal Auditors (the IIA) has published a “Red Book”, which contains the standards for internal audits. None of these standards were followed. I couldn’t determine what the purpose was, what procedures were performed or how many procedures were performed, the cause and effect of each finding, and the only recommendation I noted was the City Treasurer should take control of all financial dealings of the BCCDC. WOW!
What was the real purpose? Was it to create better internal controls? If so, identify them and make corrections. Does the treasurer suspect fraud? Then ask the BCCDC to hire an outside forensic auditor to perform procedures for fraud. And where in the charter is the City Treasurer given internal audit duties? I read the duties of the City Treasurer, and I didn’t see the words “internal audit”. And where in the statute governing 4b sales tax corporations, does it give the City Treasurer any authority at all?
First the library, then the USO project, and now CDC and Main Street. Who is next? I know these projects took several hundreds of hours to perform, and I respectfully request that the city work on positive improvements for Bay City, rather than expend so much wasted energy looking for things that aren’t there!
Sincerely,
Barbara Sliva
Comments
@1298saa I don"t have to prove anything to anyone the facts are out their now the question should be can you read ? and do you understand ? You now who i am stop being a coward and tell us who you are
September 19, 2011 at 5:39 p.m.Mr. Schroeder, with all due respect, what are you qualifications and background that would lend credibility to your ability to correctly interpret the city treasurer's recent reports?
September 18, 2011 at 9:05 p.m.My name is Eric Schroeder and i am sorry someone is misinforming you about what the truth really is as for merit everything i have said over the last 6 years is true but then most people have not see what i have but they are now and there is more truth to come
September 17, 2011 at 2:53 p.m.When I read this letter from Barbara Sliva, I couldn't help thinking that here is one of our community's leading volunteers taking the time to write to the paper. I've known Barbara forever, and she is one of the smartest ladies I've ever met. She is a CPA, and has audited most of the governmental entities in the county -- auditing is her specialty. She's also served as treasurer for countless organizations in the county. As far as I'm concerned, her opinion should be listened to. If the city is legitimately concerned that there is rampant corruption going on, they need to hire an outside professional to look into it, and quit playing amateur detective. What's going to happen is that people like Sliva, who volunteer their time and efforts for countless causes, are going to just quit. If you know any of the people who serve on the library board, you know then that they are smart and selfless people who just feel that it's their civic duty to give back to the community. I hate to see the city run off some of our best volunteers. But I'm afraid that's what might happen. Then where will we be? There's already a shortage of educated, talented people in this town.
September 17, 2011 at 2:49 p.m.It's a shame that so many negative comments about the city officials come from people not willing to sign their name....people who say things without merit usually don't do it to another person's face or sign their names to it. SMH
Kim McRae-Danielski
September 16, 2011 at 3:17 p.m.As for Ms Sliva's comments 1. read the city Charter 2. the City is auditing all departments and has found wasteful spending as well in most of them. The purpose is the TRUTH i would like to see the library post its books since they also get taxpayer funds.
September 16, 2011 at 8:14 a.m.I agree Ben some people in this town are in FACT defending their friends in city goverment who have broken the law in some cases, and misused our tax dollars in most others. this audit has only gone back a couple of years it is in FACT worse than this but with missing and destroyed city records the depth of this abuse are still not known. Some people are against the Mayor simply becase he is honest.
September 15, 2011 at 4:42 p.m.@cityinsider - lack of leadership? Really? I for one do not want my tax dollars wasted and/or unaccounted for. If city employees/contractors are misusing credit cards or construction funds, it needs to be taken care of now. This has come up before (old mayor), and was possibly swept under the rug. Now that it has come up again, an independent audit needs to be done, this time by a truly unbiased auditor.
September 15, 2011 at 4:21 p.m.Excellent letter hitting the nail on the head. Newbie's Mayor and Finance Director are showing their lack of leadership and appear to be on a witchhunt by doing a one-sided investigation on targeted departments. Shame on you!
September 15, 2011 at 12:01 p.m.