LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Posted December 12, 2022
Dear Editor,
A meeting of the City of Taylorville Finance Committee was held on Monday evening November 7th prior to the Regular City Council meeting. The only item on the agenda was the Review of Audit Report. This is an annual report presented to the Mayor and Aldermen completed by an independent accounting firm. This report is presented to the City leaders providing information on how the City is doing financially.
As indicated in the minutes of this meeting available on the City’s web page the auditors recommended two findings:
• An adequate segregation of incompatible duties does not exist *REPEAT FINDING”
• Pooled Cash general ledger accounts were not timely reconciled to the monthly bank statements nor were they reviewed by a second person outside the Treasurer’s Office
Other recommendations/areas of serious concern for strengthening internal controls were identified in the minutes of this meeting:
• Incorrect filing of City, Police and Fire Pension Form 941 forms an dpayments to IRS; penalties were incurred
• Social Security Administration has not received 2021 Forms W-2 and W-3; will incur penalties for each employee
• Lack of repayments between pooled cash account and other accounts
• Voluntary Insurance payable general ledger accounts do not reconcile as of April 30, 2022
• IMRF 1,000 hour participation limit has no documentation for Council Members claiming IMRF
(the auditor stated that the current resolution provides a 1,000 hour participation requirement. It was stated that none of those participating have submitted any documentation or timesheets.)
• No documentation for furloughed employees paid unemployment through IDES; includes many fraudulent claims that must be investigated
• Safe Passage grant does not include full reimbursement of costs; amended reports should be submitted
• Water Fund should be reconciled for years prior to 2022 and corrections made
It is stated in the minutes of this meeting that many of these items are time sensitive and must be rectified prior to the end of the calendar year, so as not to affect current year W-2’s for employees. All recommendations must be addressed and rectified expediently.
Why was this information not provided to the public through local broadcast or print media? This audit is paid for and provided annually to inform both the elected leaders of our community as well as the taxpaying residents who reside within in the City on how the City is doing financially. Transparency and accountability is needed at all levels of government. The minutes to this meeting can be found on the City’s web page www.taylorville.net.
Martin Vota
Taylorville, IL 62568