subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Thu, Dec 04 2008 

Published August 23, 2008 11:21 pm -

City’s finances in order, auditors find


By D. E. Smoot
Phoenix Staff Writer

Independent auditors gave Muskogee good marks on its internal control systems and the city’s financial outlook.

The audit, presented this past week to finance committee members, reveals steps have been taken to cure a couple of problems found in 2006.

Chuck Crooks of CBEW Professional Group said the audit report for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2007, contains ”no current findings of any problem areas.”

“Overall, they do a really good job,” Crooks said of the city’s financial oversight. “You have a great internal control system — checks and balances throughout to prevent any type of problems — and they manage very well.”

There were two problem areas reported for fiscal year 2006. The first included improper reporting of sales tax revenue restricted to employee benefits. The other was grant revenue held in an escrow fund and record keeping regarding federal grant expenditures. The summary schedule of prior audit findings notes steps have been taken to remedy both concerns.

Crooks said a significant change included in the fiscal year 2007 audit is the addition of streets and bridges to the city’s asset inventory. As a result, Muskogee’s net assets increased more than $2.28 million. Net assets, Crooks said, total about $176 million.

Crooks commended the efforts of Public Works Director Mike Stewart and his staff for the thorough assessment of the city’s infrastructure. The month-long process, Crook said, included measuring the width of streets, the depth and type of surface material, and surface quality.

City Manager Greg Buckley said the evaluation will help guide decisions regarding future capital improvements projects with regard to its streets program.

“This was a good start toward evaluating street conditions,” Buckley said. “This will help us prioritize projects with respect to street conditions then we can evaluate the political aspects of our capital improvements plans.”

The audit addresses Muskogee’s net assets and any changes in those assets. In the statement of net assets and statement of activities, the assessments are broken down into two types of activities:

• Governmental and business-type activities — Basic services such as police and fire protection, public works, parks and recreation, and general administration. Those services typically are funded by sales and franchise taxes and revenue from fees for utilities.

• Business-type activities: Those for which the city assesses a user fee, such as the use of the airport, sports complex, or the Muskogee Civic Center. Revenue from the municipal and parking authorities are included in this category.

The audit stated the cost of all city programs totaled $48.79 million. The city spent $42.07 million on governmental activities, $5.1 million more — or 13.8 percent — than the $36.97 million it received in revenue. Its business-type activities increased net assets by more than $9.78 million.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.




monster
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide


Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Premier Guide

Premium Jobs

3320-Receptionist
Busy medical office seeks front desk receptionist. Experience preffered. Must be able to handle various types of patient...>MORE

3244-RN/LPN
3 to 11 & 11 to 7 Shifts
SIGN ON BONUS
We are searching for the
BEST of the BEST
nursing professiona
...>MORE

3356-CNA/CMA CNA/MAT
residential Care Unit
weekend doubles
Must have current CPR/First Aide

Apply in person at
205
...>MORE

3355-Grave Living Center - LPN
Is accepting
applications for
LPN
2p-10p Shift

We offer an excellent benefits package that
...>MORE

3309-Solara Hospital
RN--Night Shift
ICU experience required; Charge Nurse experience preferred.

To apply online visit www.so
...>MORE

3354-Custodian
Hilldale Public Schools are accepting applications for the following support position:
(1) Full time Custodian
...>MORE

3306-Hourly Managers Needed
For ALL Muskogee Locations
Applications are being taken at the Braum's store at 301 North 32nd

ASSISTANT
...>MORE

3342-RN/LPN
MED-CORP HOME HEALTH SERVICES
Competitive Wages
Benefits and Mileage
Holidays Off
Fax Resume to Carl
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Autos

3340-1999 Dodge Intrepid ES
green, sun roof, fully loaded $3750. 918-781-2118...>MORE

3337-Motorcycle
2007 Honda Rebel 250 black. 1050 miles. $2500. 918-869-7817...>MORE

3319-Honda 2008
Charlie Robert Frank 230, excellent conditiion, less than 300 miles. New $4600, take $3500. Street legal & tagged. Benef...>MORE

3321-2004 Chevy 3/4 ton
4x4 pickup, LS package, duramax, diesel, Allison Transmission. Regular Cab, 176K miles, $12,000. 918-689-0829...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Extras

3322-Miniature Schnauzer Puppies
$150-$250. 918-869-8418 or 686-0513. Credit Cards Accepted. ...>MORE

3293- Chihuahua Puppies
Chihuahua Puppies for sale. $150 each. Have 2 females and 1 male. Call 918-441-9388...>MORE

3332-Christmas Babies
Maltese, Pekingese, Min. Pinchers, Scotish Terriers. $100 & up. 918-616-7326...>MORE

3328-Firewood
$50 a rick, 4x4, round bales, good quality $12. Ford 3000 tractor, works great $3300. 918-478-4106.521-2976....>MORE

3324-2 Refrigerators
$125 each. Good Condition. 918-683-3274...>MORE

3357-Cemetery Lot
Memorial Park Cemetery
1 lot, Sec. 7. $500
918-360-9037
...>MORE

3339-Puppies
Very cute Schnauzers 8 weeks. Rat Terriers 7 weeks. $99. Wormed & shots. 918-348-6095...>MORE

3311-Miniature Poms
2 female, 8 wks, 1st shots & wormed. $350. Call 918-478-3429....>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index