ESD Board receives 2009 audit report
(Posted: July 13, 2010)
Commissioners for the Williamson County Emergency Services District #4 heard a report from an auditor during their regular meeting July 8 regarding finances for the fiscal year ending September 2009.
James Medack, a certified public accountant from Giddings, said the audit did not require him to examine every financial transaction of the District. Instead, the purpose was to determine whether the financial statements have supporting documentation and are free of misstatement.
During the 2009 fiscal year, the ESD went through major changes when the Board terminated a contract in April 2009 with the Liberty Hill Volunteer Fire Department. At that time, the ESD took over the job of providing fire and emergency medical services and hired all personnel of the LHVFD with the exception of Fire Chief James Pogue and his wife, Leslye, who was serving as administrative assistant. Mrs. Pogue was responsible for all of the financial transactions for the ESD and the LHVFD.
"If lending institutions look at these (financial) statements, they wouldn't be materially misled that the District is better off than it is," Medack said. His audit report is public information and may be reviewed or obtained from WCESD#4.
Medack was hired by the Board of Commissioners to conduct the audit after the previous auditor failed to complete the work in a timely way. ESD President Gene Gatlin reported previously that its first auditor was having health problems that resulted in significant delays. He said Fire Chief Bruce Watson recommended Medack because he had worked with him on audits in other fire departments where he served as Chief.
In recent months, having a completed 2009 audit has become a priority for the Board as it attempts to secure financing for a $1 million addition to the fire station. Local banks requested an audit report before they would make an offer to finance the facility. However, construction on the project began during the spring and has been paid for to date with available ESD funds and payments from Williamson County, which is contributing $300,000. The additional space will be used to house an ambulance and its crew, and construction is scheduled to be complete in September.
Gatlin said he hopes to have bids from lenders in the coming weeks regarding the possible financing of about $600,000 that will be owed on the construction after Williamson County pays its part.
The ESD continues to research its options to provide direct deposit for its employees. It is also considering the possibility of hiring an outside firm to provide bookkeeping services.
Also Thursday, Watson told the Board the average response time of Liberty Hill fire personnel to emergency calls in the fire district was 6.12 minutes during the month of June. Considering the size of the district, he said he was pleased with the time. Watson said medical calls represented 61 percent of the call volume for June and the first eight days of July, while fires were only 9 percent.
He said local firefighters responded to a 1.5-acre grass fire on June 27 that engulfed a mobile home structure on CR 201. Five neighboring agencies responded by bringing water and additional personnel. Liberty Hill also responded to a fire on July 3 at a business on US Highway 183 and RR 1869 that restored antique cars. Significant property damage resulted.
He said rainfall during the week of Independence Day helped to reduce the risk of fire from fireworks. On July 4, the department ran only two medical calls. He said he appreciated the cooperation of residents who handled fireworks safely.
Watson, who in a previous Board meeting was authorized to collect bids on the sale of the Rescue vehicle, said the vehicle will be advertised beginning this week.
The Board also authorized Watson to create a separate bank account to handle transactions for the fan drive. Watson said he would announce more details about fan donations and distribution in the days ahead.
Commissioner Dean Andrews was not present Thursday. The Board did not meet in executive session as posted on its agenda because Andrews was not present.
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