CLEARFIELD – Before approving the payment of two bills from Catalano, Case, Catalano and Fannin for audit work at Wednesday’s regular meeting, board members of the Clearfield County Recreation and Tourism Authority discussed methods to make for a smoother process and possibly even reduce costs.
Jane Elling, board member and treasurer, said the CCRTA was billed $1,356 for its cash audit. In addition, their state-mandated audit was in the amount of $6,823, she said.
“That is a pile of money,” said Nancy Micks, board chairwoman. “Has anyone looked into why it’s so much?”
Director Holly Komonczi said she checked the cost of last year’s state audit, which was about $7,000.
Micks then asked board member Wilson Fisher if he could recall the costs related to past years’ audits. He suggested that someone may want to review their previous audit-related expenses.
Elling referred to the bill and said it included the costs for matters handled by phone and e-mail. She also mentioned that a phone call to the county controller’s office was included in the statement.
Micks said they must contact Catalano, Case, Catalano and Fannin and further decipher the bill. Perhaps, she said the CCRTA could provide better materials and eliminate extra work and the resultant costs.
Micks suggested that they seek bids from other local certified public accountants to determine the expense for a three-year contract. She said they should also collect a one-year total. If they had a more fixed cost for the audits, she said they would be able to better budget for it.
Board member Terry Malloy said audits have various stages. He said it was his personal preference to have the most extensive audit done even though it may be more costly.
“I think we’re paying for what we get. We have that much service (for them),” he said.
Micks said she wasn’t saying that they should look into a less costly audit but determine why it is the current cost.
Elling said that Catalano, Case, Catalano and Fannin conducted audits for the Mahaffey Borough Municipal Authority, when she served as its president.
“They did a very good job,” she said.