Ken Anderson reviewed the audit with Norman Town Council on Monday night.
NORMAN — Ken Anderson, CPA of Anderson, Smith & Wilke, PLLC, informed the town of Norman that they had a “pretty good year” for the 2020-21 audit.
Overall, Norman’s fund balance increased from $186,000 to $193,000 and earned over $10,000 in rental income for the year.
However, there were three violations that the town incurred on the draft of their audit. Anderson also said that this audit is still not 100% completed and still in draft form.
The audit was received not only past the deadline of Oct. 31, but beyond a grace period extending to Dec. 1.
The second violation concerns a bonding issue of $50,000. The Town Council said there had been confusion in previous attempts to address this issue. Anderson said that there needs to be official documentation included in the audit so that a finance officer can remedy the issue.
Finally, Anderson said that it was a “small, ticky tacky” issue, but last year’s budget wasn’t properly balanced.
It was the auditor’s recommendation that the Town Council write a letter to the Lumber River Council of Government informing them that it was a simple oversight. Anderson also added that the 2021-22 budget is properly balanced, and to mention that in the letter.
Automotive shop may move to Norman
Justin Collins, owner of Collins Automotive & Towing, Inc., approached the Town Council to consider moving his automotive shop and potentially a produce stand to the former BP station in Norman.
“Later down the road, I would like to establish some sort of restaurant,” said Collins, a former diesel mechanic at Superior Cranes.
His plan is to put in a new, 10X10 roll-up door in the building, at a cost of $1,500 each. In exchange for Collins fronting the cost, he asked for a pro-rated plan in paying rent.
The doors won’t arrive at the building for another nine weeks. Collins said he already has all of the other necessary equipment for the business, and that Norman was an attractive place to relocate due to the lack of competition.
Town Council members acted more cautious toward this endeavor after feeling burned by a previous tenant, Alfonso Carillo and his wood pallet business.
“We gave [Carillo] money, we gave him rent and we got nothing back but a mess,” Council Member Nancy Paxton said about the wood pallet business.
There was also concern about the visual aesthetic of the automotive business.
“As long as it’s kept neat and straight it’s not a problem,” Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Cranford said.
Collins even offered to clear out some of the remaining debris from the former tenant, which Mayor Tonia Collins said wouldn’t be necessary.
The BP station was most recently used for storage and Norman charged $200 for rent. Council members agreed that if Collins planned to operate his business out of the station, they should charge about $500.
During the meeting, Collins was able to check out the building and he reported only a small water leak.
An exact contract or timeline wasn’t finalized at the meeting. Paxton said they shouldn’t rush this decision and should sleep on it.
Town receives $10,000 grant
Town Clerk Glenda McInnis said that Norman received a $10,000 grant that the LRCOG applied for through Norman.
The money cannot be used to tear down any buildings, but it can be used to upgrade any facilities that the town owns.
Paperwork needs to be completed to finalize the grant, but McInnis said it’s expected that they receive this money by the end of the month.
