Westminster?s finance departments must be kept in the loop on other departments? projects so reimbursements are more timely.
That suggestion, as well as the city government needing to update its filing system and implement new financial software, was in the audit conducted by public accounting firm Rager, Lehman & Houck.
When a public works crew finishes a road project, for example, a lull occurs before the finance department is notified, the city?s finance director, Roland Unger, said.
“Some things are being paid for by a bond, and we get reimbursed by expenses,” Unger said. “If we don?t know these projects have been finished, we don?t get reimbursed right away.”
Streamlining communications makes government more efficient, Unger said.
“It?s not a huge deal, but we could know faster,” he said. “We?re talking about two weeks versus a month.”
Auditors also suggested the city improve its filing system for receipts and expenditures and update its antiquated financial software ? an enhancement that Unger has worked on since he started as finance director in December.
The software, which also will improve filing problems, will be installed in phases, beginning July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.
Overall, auditors gave Westminster an “unqualified opinion,” which is good news for city officials and taxpayers.
“That?s an indication that financially, you are in fairly good shape,” Unger said.
The auditors expect to present their findings at the council?s next meeting Feb. 26, Westminster Common Council Member Robert Wack said.
“We got a clean bill of health with some specific recommendations,” Wack said.
The city hired Unger, who worked for seven years as finance director for the state?s Supplemental Retirement Plans department, with the intent that he would implement the new financial software and improve the budget process.
