Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 3, 1994 TAG: 9412050024
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
Some of those changes are already under way.
The town's Finance Committee went over the 82-page report, which covered a period ending June 30, Friday morning with representatives of Larrowe, Cardwell & Co., a Galax firm hired to make the 1993-94 fiscal year audit.
Michael Larrowe said the annual audit shows that the town has a strong fund balance, enough for needed capital improvements and other matters that come up.
``I think it's imperative that the town get a new computer system,'' Larrowe said. The existing system has been modified so often that it cannot put billing and other information everywhere it needs to go with one operation, and also requires too much manual handling of data, he said.
Pulaski Town Council is scheduled to meet one hour early Tuesday, at 3 p.m., to hear from a computer consultant on that very thing.
The auditors had some other recommendations, including daily bank deposits of cash receipts. The report said that, prior to June 30, those receipts had been accumulated in a desk drawer and deposited once a week. Daily deposits would improve cash flow and minimize the risk of misplacing money.
Deposits are being made on a more timely basis since the auditors brought the need to the attention of the town's Finance Department.
Larrowe also stressed a need for department employees to know their responsibilities. ``I think what absolutely has to happen is everyone in the department be accountable,'' he said.
Town Manager Tom Combiths said Acting Finance Director Anita Taylor has been working with the staff on its responsibilities and accountability. Taylor has headed the department since Mildred Bolen stepped down as finance director several months ago. A new director has not yet been named.
by CNB