Hillsboro City Council chooses auditing firm
Hillsboro City Council Tuesday night approved hiring the accounting firm of Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd, LLC, of McPherson as city auditors for a three-year term.
Council member Shelby Dirks made the motion which was seconded by Matt Hiebert. The motion passed 3-0 with no discussion.
Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd was one of three firms submitting bids at the last council meeting. They were hired at $8,386 per fiscal year or $25,158. If the city needs a single audit, the fee will increase by $3,000 a year or $31,158. Their bid was the highest bid submitted, approximately $3,000 more than other bids, and also includes related expenses and consulting fees.
Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, with an office in Hillsboro, submitted a three-year bid of $21,750 or $28,240 with a single audit. The bid from Knudsen Monroe & Company of Newton was $22,850 for the three years or $24,350 including a single audit.
"We felt like it is time to take a fresh look at city finances and to get better feedback from our auditors," said Dirks. "The Swindoll management letter was more in depth. I feel the extra money we are spending will give us better results and service."
"Sometimes it is good to have someone new look at how you do things," said mayor Delores Dalke. "I hope the extra money will result in a more complete audit and good ideas for the city."
Matt Hiebert made the motion, seconded by Byron McCarty, to keep Emprise Bank as the city's bank. The motion was approved 3-0.
Cereal malt beverage liquor licenses were approved for Caseys, Hillsboro Municipal Golf Association, Vogts Hometown Market, and Co-op Grain and Supply (Ampride)
The council approved Ordinance No. 1097 which increases city utility users' monthly charge for recycling from $1.60 to $1.65.
"Lots of cities have discontinued recycling because of the costs involved," said city administrator Steve Garrett. "Hillsboro has a commitment to do the environmentally correct thing."
According to Garrett, 189 tons were recycled at the Hillsboro facility in 2003. The facility is open on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings and manned by volunteers.
"We made a commitment to recycle," Garrett said. "We are the only community in Marion County with a recycling station."
Dalke's recommendation of Sam Garbo for Hillsboro Community Medical Center board of directors was approved 3-0. Garbo replaces Mark Brown who resigned.
Garrett has tentatively set dates from Jan. 10 through Jan. 24, 2005, for neighborhood meetings to get public input and to discuss survey findings and the city's comprehensive plan.
The council received plans from Burbach Aquatics, Inc., for the family aquatic center. The probable cost of the 5,526 square foot facility is $2,487,932. The suggested construction site is at the sports complex parallel to Highway 56 with a parking lot at the entrance and the aquatic center west of the parking lot.
Dalke requested a list of former city utility users who left owing city bills within the last five years.
"We've never turned anyone into the state of Kansas," she said. "We could get reimbursement for city bills automatically from state tax refunds."
Garrett recommended making some changes in the emergency vehicle used by Fire Chief Ben Steketee. Garrett recommended allowing the Steketee to take the vehicle home with him to improve time in answering emergency calls.
"If the vehicle goes home with the fire chief, it is only to be used for emergencies," said Garrett. "We have to meet IRS codes and insurance requirements. We can't have non-fire personnel riding in the vehicle."
On the recommendation of Garrett, the council approved 3-1 keeping IMA of Kansas, Inc., as the city's insurance agent of record. Council member Len Coryea voted against the proposal.
"I'm satisfied with IMA and recommend we stay there," Garrett said. "We can get every insurance agent in the world in here and all will say they can do the job. We just have to decide who can meet our needs."
In other business council:
— approved Resolution No. 2004-05 declaring the entire present boundary of the city of Hillsboro.
— approved vouchers of $33,925.25.
— agreed to change the speed limit signs in school zones. The 20 mile per hour zones will be changed to during school hours.
