Augusta’s Finance committee recommended approval Tuesday to hire UHY Advisors to audit the Parks and Recreation department.
The mid-Atlantic branch of the firm’s bid came as a surprise to commissioners, who had been presented with a $141,365 price tag for a different auditor last week.
A courier had attempted to deliver UHY’s bid submittal last week, but missed delivery through no fault of the firm, Procurement Director Geri Sams said. When staff discovered it, they considered it alongside the two other vendors, she said.
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UHY bid $71,664 to perform 308 hours of work performing the tasks outlined in Augusta’s scope of work. Three of four committee members – Jordan Johnson, Wayne Guilfoyle and Stacy Pulliam – voted in favor of hiring UHY. Commissioner Francine Scott was opposed.
Commissioners have pushed for an audit since the sudden resignation Feb. 14 of former Recreation Director Maurice McDowell amid allegations of sexual harassment, fraternization and age discrimination. Prior to leaving, McDowell’s department engaged in spending some deemed questionable.
Others on the commission do not support the audit.
“I do have reservations, mixed emotions,” said Tony Lewis, a professional referee. “Be it $140,000 or $70,000, either way, I think both of them are unnecessary.”
Lewis said by simply forcing departments to adopt standard process for doing things, such as leasing facilities or eliminating the use of cash, the city could avoid problems.
Others say Augusta’s new recreation director, who has not been hired, will benefit from addressing any problems now.
“When we bring somebody new to the table, we want them to come in with a clean slate,” Commissioner Catherine Smith McKnight said.
The funds for the audit will come from $300,000 the city allocated for a broader audit, which commissioners rejected doing in December, Finance Director Donna Williams said.
When the firm finishes the audit, which is expected within 90 days, it will present a report to the commission of any findings, as well as recommendations for changing internal processes, Williams said.
Lewis asked if negative findings would reflect poorly on Williams’ department. Williams said Finance and Accounting monitor trends, such as dips in collections, while each department director is responsible for their department’s processes.
Commissioner Brandon Garrett said the commission learned from its experience attempting to implement a new credit card policy in 2021. The move came amid heavy and questionable use by former Mayor Hardie Davis of his city-issued credit card.
Despite imposing limits on use of the cards, some users were still able to exceed the limits, he said.
“We have to make sure it is very, very specific because there are always those who are looking for loopholes,” he said.
The audit will look at the years 2021-2023 and examine the following and more, according to the city’s scope of work:
- Whether charges billed to the Lake Olmstead account are appropriate
- Whether a list of 92 community center user groups and their billed amounts are accurate
- All expenses charged to the Riverwalk and the Eighth Street bulkhead
- All park spending and the work that was performed
- All employee hotel stays and the employees that used them
- Sales from the Candlelight Jazz series and how that money was collected and spent
- Processes the city could automate that might clarify operations
- Internal controls and whether they are sufficient to protect city assets and resources
In other action:
- In a first-quarter financial report presented by Williams, commissioners were apprised of an unexpected drop in electrical franchise fees, which are paid as 4% on the provider’s prior year revenues. Based on Georgia Power’s rate hikes of 2.5% and 12.5% imposed last year, the city anticipated an increase of $1.2 million for the quarter. Instead, the fees increased by .1% or $12,109, while Jefferson Electric franchise fees increased 3.5% or $44,376, Williams said.
- The Administrative Services committee recommended tasking the administrator with ensuring all city department directors have succession plans for departmental leadership in place. Garrett said the move was good “policy,” while Commissioner Bobby Williams said it delved into “operations” the commission should avoid. Garrett accused Williams of using an even heavier hand to demand a fryer be installed at the new Henry Brigham Center.
- Engineering Services approved modifying the city’s speed-hump policy to count the votes of homeowners, but not renters. For the humps to be approved, 50% of residents plus one must be in support. Under the new policy, only homeowners, however many or few there are, living on the street will be asked to approve.
- Engineering Services members debated the status of “proactive” versus “reactive” right-of-way maintenance, which varies depending on address. Engineering Director Hameed Malik said the variation is tied to a road’s gateway status and safety, the use of stormwater fees and private contracts, and the shift of work from Recreation to Engineering. Commissioner Stacy Pulliam, who requested the item, said it seems unfair. Commissioner Sean Frantom questioned whether any address receives proactive treatment.
