Posted 12:46 am Friday, November 20, 2009
ESD No. 2 Approves Funds To Improve Accounting Procedures
By ADAM RUSSELL
Staff Writer
Emergency Services District No. 2 board members approved additional funding for an accounting firm to identify and recommend "agreed upon procedures" regarding department accounting procedures during its Thursday night meeting.
Staff Writer
Emergency Services District No. 2 board members approved additional funding for an accounting firm to identify and recommend "agreed upon procedures" regarding department accounting procedures during its Thursday night meeting.
Board treasurer Theresa Campbell said an initial audit by accounting firm Prothro, Wilhelmi and Co., PLLC, showed "no improprieties and no issues with items for reimbursement have been identified at this time" within Noonday Volunteer Fire Department.
Ms. Campbell said the audit was requested by the incoming Noonday fire chief. She said an accountant reviewed all of the department's transactions re-lating to ESD No. 2 funding over the past year and found no irregularities.
The board approved paying Prothro-Wilhelmi $3,000 to provide accounting procedures for all 11 of the district's departments to add uniformity to accounting practices. Ms. Campbell said, during the meeting, some of the departments have "struggled" with the accounting process. She said the accounting "template" provided by Prothro-Wilhelmi will "make (keeping each department's books) easier on them and easier on us."
During the meeting ESD No. 2 board president Alan Adams said the district is preparing for a summer audit of "hydranted" areas, those areas with access to water hydrants, typically within towns and cities such as Arp, Bullard and Winona. Adams said the Insurance Services Office audit will involve around seven months of data collection and is expected to lower the ISO rating by one point, or 10 percent.
Creating the district was touted as a way to lower rural home owner's insurance rates by increasing the ISO fire safety ratings within the district.
"This is the step we have been working toward," Adams said.
The board tabled all other action items including, the purchase of Toughbook computers, an update on Whitehouse station No. 2 and short-mid-and long range plans.
