by Mari Radtke
City Clerk Michelle Wilson has been struggling with some kind of entry glitch into the city’s financial software, Gworks. The discrepancy is some $32,000. The discrepancy, according to Wilson, is caused by many transactions entered into the city side of the system but balancing transactions in the general ledger side were not made. Wilson traces the imbalance back to the 20-teens. The imbalance shows more recorded dollars in than expenses.
Maureen Thompson, Paullina Treasurer, attended the February 3 meeting. She and Wilson informed Council that money transfers and a budget amendment would be needed. Wilson explained that some discovery has to take place before proposing transfers. They want to make sure of the legality of which funds can move money and to where. Transfers is enabled by Council Resolution only. The transfers must be for a specific purpose. The resolution was tabled for specific wording.
They also shared that they would like to open a switchgear fund, separate it’s money from general fund or electric fund money. They explained that was recommended by Carol Chicoine. The $1.6 million project should be capital project. They also reported that the budget still shows a COVID line item with no money except some interest.
There was considerable discussion about also adding a line item for vehicle replacement. This fund would be a set aside for money to fund fire trucks, police cars, street equipment, etc. It was described as a receptacle for vehicle use only and would never be reabsorbed into the general fund, a system that has been hotly argued between Paullina departments.
Council approved the financial report.