Auditor praises Florence for financial management
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
Florence City Council members heard a stellar report Monday evening on city finances and record keeping.
City auditor Dale Clark of Knudson and Monroe told the council city finances are in good shape.
"The difference between now and when I first started with you all is like the difference between day and night," he said. "The record keeping is very good. I want to tell you that."
"You have done a good job with your budget and the money you have coming in. You have managed to put some money away in capital improvement and equipment reserve, but your other fund balances did not suffer," he said.
Clark commended city clerk Darla Gore and the council for being able to provide basic services for the community without a substantial raise in the mill levy. He said the city is in compliance with Kansas statutes and there are no violations on revenue bonds.
Clark reviewed the city audit with council members and encouraged them to contact him with any questions that might arise during the year.
The city council's next item of business was to accept the resignation of Erik King who has served as Florence Police Chief for two and one-half years.
Mayor Sue Klassen read King's letter of resignation. He will serve until Feb. 28. King told the council he has accepted a chief of police position in Towanda. He said he had enjoyed working for the people of Florence and was, in a way, reluctant to move on.
"But this is something I have wanted for a long time," said King. "I just can't turn it down. It is close to my home and family."
Florence council members expressed their appreciation to King for the job he did for the city. King will wind up some loose ends and see to it that all municipal and district court duties are finished before he leaves for good.
In other business the council:
— heard a request from Rick Turner for the council to consider selling him a section of the former high school football field which is adjacent to his house. He is hoping to purchase 250 to 275 feet and told the council his intention is to put up a building. Following a brief discussion, Mayor Klassen told Turner that council would get back with him after getting a legal opinion and researching the city's options with the land.
— heard from King that a car carrying a large quantity of narcotics was taken into police custody over the weekend. Also a stolen car was recovered in Florence.
— approved an expenditure of not more than $5,300 to purchase new utility billing software, court management software, and training for city office staff to use the new programs. The state of Kansas has mandated that all communities that issue tickets and have a municipal court system must submit the information to Topeka electronically beginning in July 2007.
— heard from fire chief Tim Parmley that a $25 donation had been made to the Labor Day committee.
Parmley announced the firefighters are looking at the purchase of a new truck. The money will come out of their special fund and memorial funds.
Council discussed a plan by firemen to sell the 1971 "city" truck because it is rarely used and can't be taken out of town to fight a fire. With only 1,600 miles on it firefighters felt there might be some interest in the truck. "We may try to sell it on eBay," said Parmley.
Council members agreed to wait until councilman Ed Robinson returned from out of state to make a decision.
— heard from city superintendent Phil Baldwin that a serious water leak in the basement of Herman Schambron's house nearly drained the clear well before city crews were able to figure out where the water was going.
— heard from Gore that Bill Hendricks would be at the next meeting with insurance quotes for the coming year. Gore also requested and was granted permission to attend city clerk's school at Wichita March 6-9.
— agreed to meet with the city planning and zoning committee at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the city building.
— heard from councilman Randy Mills that he had attended the firemen's meeting the previous week and discussed finances and other issues with them. He told the council and gathered citizens the people of Florence need to recognize their volunteer firemen and express their appreciation for all they do.
— was reminded of the candidate's forum Thursday evening at Florentine Center to hear candidates running for the Ward 1 position.
— heard from ADA compliance officer Del Leeds that Jackie Sigwing has spent a considerable amount of time bringing the city web site into compliance. According to Leeds the site is a "work in progress" even where compliance issues are concerned. Mills said he would like the council to go on record in their appreciation for her help.
— went into two executive sessions for 25 and 15 minutes to discuss personnel. King was included in the session and no action was taken on return to open meeting.
