Keep The Umbrella Handy; Chance Of Rain The Next Few Days
February 18, 2020
Rain is expected the next few days in the North Escambia area, but severe weather is not. It won’t be a constant rain, but chances are high into Thursday night before thing cool down on Friday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Areas of dense fog after 9pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 68. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Showers, mainly after midnight. Low around 55. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday: Showers. High near 59. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 41. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 58. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64.
Sunday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70.
Century Approves Audit, Action Plan To Get Out Of Financial Problems
February 18, 2020
The Century Town Council voted unanimously Monday night to accept the findings in their audit for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019.
As NorthEscambia.com reported Monday morning, the audit shows signs of a financial emergency as defined by state law and a multi-million deficit. The audit found the financial emergency conditions exist due to missed debt service payments, not transferring payroll taxes in a timely manner and issuing payroll checks without sufficient funds in the payroll account.
As part of Monday nights vote, the council also approved their response in the form of a corrective action plan as recommending by the auditors. The council did not specifically discuss the plan or its contents.
Below is a summary of audit findings, with recommendations as made by the auditor and Century’s plan to correct the problems. For more specific details on the audit findings, click here for our previous story.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Finding
The town’s overall financial condition demonstrates signs of a state of financial emergency as described in Florida statutes. Overall factors contributing to this condition include lack of short and long-term financial planning, improper cash management activities and lack of analysis of existing tax rates and fee structures for proprietary operations. This condition has existed for the past three audited periods.
Recommendation
Develop long and short-term financial plans to improve its financial condition. The financial plans should include: (1) a review of spending needs; (2) a system for monitoring revenues and expenditures; (3) budget reserves to provide for future capital needs and unexpected costs; and (4) projected revenues sufficient to cover projected costs. The town should analyze existing rate structures for proprietary operations to determine their sufficiency in covering expenses and should explore all available options to increase revenues or decrease expenditures. In an effort to improve the financial stability of the Natural Gas Fund, the Town should actively monitor natural gas usage against the purchased gas to evaluate areas of weakness in system.
Town Response
The town is aware of the deteriorating financial condition caused by the gas fund. Currently, the town is working on procedures to resolve the deficit in the gas fund. The town has hired a former city manager to act in the capacity of city manager and make recommendations to the council. All other funds are self-sustaining. Once this is resolved, the town will be able to set aside reserves for each fund. The town is in the process of computing a bill for previous usage not billed as a result of a faulty meter.
The amount owed to the special revenue fund by the general fund and natural gas fund are currently being evaluated for forgiveness based on eligible prior year allowable expenditures incurred.
The 2019-2020 budget will be amended to reflect payments on bonds for the gas and water/sewer Fund from the LOST funds not recognized in prior years. This will alleviate the pressure on these funds to fund the bond payment and allow the town to fund reserves needed to maintain these funds pursuant to an asset management plan being developed.
CASH MANAGEMENT
Findings
Cash management findings included a payroll account that was overdrawn numerous times, late payroll tax submissions to the IRS, payroll checks provided to employees and cashed before the issued date of the check, an overdrawn payroll account, late fees on credit cards, and late and missing debt service payments.
Recommendation
The town council should receive timely information about the cash position and cash needs of the town to ensure adequate funds available for weekly paychecks, payroll taxes, and debt service payments. the town management should review the payroll bank account weekly and ensure adequate transfers from other available cash accounts are completed on a timely basis for adequate payment of paychecks, payroll taxes and other payroll items. In addition, credit card invoices should be paid timely to avoid late fees and interest charges.
Planned Correction Action
We agree with the recommendation. The town’s payroll account is now reviewed weekly (on Fridays), and anytime shortages occur, the council is made aware through an emergency meeting the following Monday. The town clerk will monitor all payments on credit cards to ensure timely payment on or before the due date.
CREDIT CARD USAGE POLICY AND RECEIPTS
Findings
The audit noted that multiple receipts and supporting documentation for credit card charges was not maintained. The business purpose of several credit card transactions was not documented, particularly on purchases of food, fuel and various supplies. The town does not have a policy requiring employees to provide receipts for transactions nor document purpose of purchases.
Recommendation
The town should require supporting receipts be submitted for all charges and that the business purpose of the expense be clearly documented. In addition, the town should adopt a policy that clearly outlines the appropriate uses of the town’s credit card and responsibilities for each card holder.
Planned corrective action
We agree with the recommendation. The town will adopt a policy where credit cards are “checked out” from the main office and returned with the receipts upon “check in”.
RECONCILIATION OF ACCOUNTS
Findings
Interfund general ledger accounts were not reconciled. Audit adjustments were required to adjust for the actual audited amounts and allow for proper balancing of the interfund accounts. The same problem has existed for three consecutive years.
Recommendation
We recommend all general ledger accounts be reconciled monthly subsidiary ledgers, and any reconciling items be promptly investigated and adjusted, adequate supporting documentation for the adjustments be maintained.
Planned corrective action
We agree with the recommendation. The town reconciles accounts on a monthly basis; however, these required adjustments were isolated, and management will ensure the interfund accounts are reconciled in the future.
CAPITAL ASSET TRACKING
Findings
There are capital assess that have not been correctly recorded in the town’s records, and the town has not completed an inventory of assets. The condition was also found in the 2018-2019 audit.
Recommendation
We recommend town management procedures surrounding capital asset identification and tracking to ensure the capitalization threshold is properly and consistently applied. In addition, town management should ensure are consistently tagged for inventory and added to the town’s capital asset record.
Planned corrective action
We agree with the recommendation. Currently, the twn tags assets and accounts for assets on a “tagging” basis. The town also uses this list for insurance purposes as well. However, the actual depreciation schedule reconciliation has not been done and this procedure will be implemented.
Pictured top: Councilman Luis Gomez (right) listens as Kristen McAllister of the auditing firm Warren Averett addresses the Century Town Council Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Volunteer Need For Escambia County Board Of Adjustment Appointment
February 18, 2020
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an at-large appointment to the Escambia County Board of Adjustment.
Members serve a two-year term of office and meet at 8:30 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month for approximately two hours. Travel is not required. Financial disclosure is required.
Escambia County residents interested in being considered for a possible appointment to the Escambia County Board of Adjustment to begin serving in April are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Wednesday, March 11. Letters and resumes should be submitted to Kayla Meador, 3363 West Park Place, Pensacola, FL 32505; or emailed to krmeador@myescambia.com.
Resumes submitted to a BCC agenda for consideration will become part of the official minutes and are subject to public records requests.
ESCO: 15-Year Old Shot Multiple Times In Brownsville
February 17, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting of a 15-year old Monday afternoon.
It happened just before 4 p.m. on Brainerd Street near Shoemaker Street in the Brownsville area . Deputies arrived to find that the teen had been shot four times — once in the stomach and three times in the arms. The victim was transported to an area hospital and is expected to survive.
The ECSO the victim was not being cooperative with law enforcement.
UPDATE: Missing Senior Adult Found Safe
February 17, 2020
UPDATE: Joseph Troy Madden has been safely located.
A Florida Silver Alert has been issued for a missing Escambia County senior adult.
Joseph Madden, 85, was last seen in the area of Silverside Loop off West Michigan Avenue. He is 5-foot, 10-inches tall, 185 pounds, has gray hair and blue eyes. He was last wearing a Florida State jacket and blue jeans.
Madden may be driving his 2008 silver Toyota truck, Florida tag #GBQZ46.
Anyone with information on the whereabout of Madden or his truck is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or 911.
Five Shot In Pensacola Drive-by; One Is Dead
February 17, 2020
Five people were shot in drive-by shooting Sunday night in Pensacola.
One of the victims is dead and four others were injured. Some of the injuries were critical, but the individuals are expected to survive.
It happened at a small home on Gadsden Street, not far from West Cervantes Street and A Street. Police said about 30 rounds were fired from a car just before 11 p.m. Police said they believe the house was targeted.
There are no suspects or vehicle description at this time as Pensacola Police continue their investigation.
Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
File photo.
One Critically Injured In 10 Mile Road Crash
February 17, 2020
One person was critically injured in a single vehicle crash on 10 Mile Road just east of the railroad tracks Monday morning.
The vehicle left the roadway and hit a utility pole and a tree, ejecting the adult male driver. He was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS as a trauma alert. His name has not yet been released as the Florida Highway Patrol investigates.
The roadway remained closed as Gulf Power worked to replace the pole, which was snapped in the 6:37 a.m. collision.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Decline To Lowest Level Of The Year
February 17, 2020
Florida gas prices are continuing to slide downward, falling nine cents in the past 11 days to the lowest level this year.
Sunday’s state average of $2.33 per gallon is 6 cents less than a week ago, and 23 cents less than last month.
The average price per gallon Sunday in Escambia County was $2.30, while in North Escambia one Cantonment station was at $2.27 Sunday night. That’s a local increase of a penny from last week.
“Florida drivers continue to benefit from strong refinery output and low fuel demand, which have contributed to the seasonal slump at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Unfortunately, these low gas prices may not linger terribly long. Florida gas prices could rise anywhere from 20-60 cents this spring, as demand rises and refineries switch to the more expensive-to-produce summer gasoline.”
Presidents Day: No School; Trash Schedule, Government Closures
February 17, 2020
There is no school for students today in Escambia County, Florida. Not because it’s Presidents Day, but because it’s a professional development day – teachers will be at work.
ECUA business offices will be closed in observance of the holiday. Residential and commercial sanitation collections for ECUA customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will be unaffected by the holiday and go on as usual.
Below is a listing of Escambia County offices and departments closed Monday in observance of the Presidents Day holiday.
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners – Departments including:
- West Florida Public Libraries (All locations – normal hours will resume Tuesday, Feb. 18)
- The Escambia County Animal Shelter
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court Finance, Official Records and Clerk to the Board
- Waste Services administrative offices
- Escambia County Area Transit administrative offices
Escambia County Exceptions:
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections office is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday and will hold extended hours Tuesday until 7 p.m. to accommodate persons wishing to register to vote or change party affiliation before the deadline on Tuesday.
- ECAT buses will run a modified holiday service Monday, Feb. 17. UWF Trolleys and Express Shuttle services will run regular weekday services. All regular services will resume Tuesday, Feb. 18.
- The Perdido Landfill will be open
- All other Clerk of Court offices, including offices at the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building, Theodore Bruno Juvenile Justice Building, the Public Records Center and the Century Courthouse will be open.
Slight Chance Of Rain Today; Increasing Chance Tonight
February 17, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Washington’s Birthday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 3pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Patchy dense fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Areas of dense fog before 9am. High near 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: Showers likely. Patchy dense fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 61. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 51. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 57. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 59.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.