CLEARFIELD – At Tuesday’s commissioners’ meeting, Clearfield County received a clean bill of health during the presentation of its audit report for the fiscal year 2018.
Cory Johnson of Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC, the county’s external auditor, reported the firm gave the county an “unmodified opinion,” the highest level of assurance possible.
Johnson said the county had a positive net position of about $20.5 million, and is one of the only Pennsylvania counties with a positive net position.
This, he said, is due to the county having no debt and very low net pension liability. Additionally, he said the county’s pension plan is 88.56 percent funded, which is easily Top 10 in the state.
Johnson said the county’s end of year unassigned general fund balance was $1.7 million, or 9.4 percent of its current-year general fund expenditures.
He noted the Government Finance Officers Association recommends county governments maintain at a minimum an unassigned general fund balance that is no less than 8-10 percent.
At the conclusion of Johnson’s presentation, the commissioners voted to accept the county’s audit report for the fiscal year 2018.
Also, on Tuesday, the commissioners okayed an agreement with Susquehanna Accounting & Consulting Solutions of Harrisburg pending final approval from Solicitor Heather Bozovich.
The county is looking to have the firm provide in-depth, technical financial and operational planning advice concerning its 2020 budget at a cost not to exceed $20,000.
Commissioner John A. Sobel said the firm came with a strong recommendation from the county’s external auditor and has also done consulting work for Jefferson County.
When asked by the media after the meeting, he said Controller Tom Adamson had notified the commissioners that his office would be unable to assist with the upcoming-year’s budget.
It was also noted that most counties don’t receive budget assistance from their Controller’s office, and this firm would take an in-depth look at each county department’s operations and finances.
In other business, the commissioners:
- approved an exception to the county’s Sub-division and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) for a proposed Dollar General Store in Brady Township. Planning Director Jodi Brennan said the ordnance currently requires 46 parking spaces, and engineering documents show that 30 spaces will be more than sufficient. She said the planning commission concurs with the engineer, and recommended approval.
- reappointed Tyler Hicks, farmer director, and Mike Gill, public director, to the Clearfield County Conservation District.
- announced vacancies on the Community Action Advisory Board and the Curwensville Lake Authority. Interested persons should submit a letter to the commissioners.
- approved liquid fuel allocations to Burnside Borough ($3,000) and Bigler Township ($3,629.23).
- approved purchase of service agreements with Cornell Abraxas Group for 2018-19 and 2019-20.
- approved three new hires; one employee separation/retirement; and one employee leave.
- approved the minutes from the Sept. 10 board meeting.
- approved the bills as presented by the Controller’s office.