Constipation

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
Feb 2 Mtg

It happens. In the case of the Mayor and BOA, this bout of financial review/audit constipation dates back almost two years, yep two years. Bos in his mayoral campaign referred to whispers of financial "problems". Once elected, he appointed and the BOA confirmed an Audit Committee. The Committee did it's work, reviewed the findings of the 2007 review conducted by the Miller company (cost $4,000) and gave thumbs up to the city's financial practices by then Mayor York. About this time last year the discussion began on an audit/review for the 2008 financial year. No decision, no action. Following? Tuesday evening the discussion was begun again by Jerry. What to do? By his own description, Bos admits he is "wishy-washy" when it comes to a financial review. (In fact he used the term multiple times during the discussion).

Alderman Finn, after the long and winding discourse of Bos asked Jerry, "so what do you think?" He said he was concerned about people who would say "they never did have an audit" and it was probably a good idea "for his own protection" He then offered the CPA firm of BKD (Springfield) to do a review of 2009 for $11,000, abandoning 2008 altogether. Although the item was on the agenda to include "motion" there was no supporting information on the scope of work for the review. Here's the interesting part...are you sitting down? I agree with Mary Hoy, when she said, "I don't know what it is they (BKD) are going to do". "We should have had it in our packet" Atta girl Mary! Sloppy work on the part of the Mayor and his attitude of trust me I know what I'm doing.

Vic asked Jerry what the Audit Committee thought about the process. Once again the "wish-washy" term was used multiple times. Jerry spoke as if they had met recently. Unless there was an illegal meeting in the last month or so, there has been no official meeting in almost a year. Old news.

And so my friends, the discussion ended with no decision, no motion, just the continued paralysis of the board and mayor with the motivation being political at this point from the mayor's point of view. What's best for the City? Novel concept. Stay tuned for next month as we continue the trek. In the meantime...

Please pass the Ex-Lax.