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Century Looks To Hire New Auditing Firm
January 9, 2024
After missing a state law mandated audit deadline every year for about a decade, the Town of Century is looking to hire a new auditor.
The town previously contracted with Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors of Pensacola, but that relationship came to an end when their contract expired September 30.
Warren Averett’s other local government clients include Escambia County, the City of Pensacola, City Milton and Santa Rosa County. Interim town manager Howard Brown said the town does not wish to hire Warren Averett again.
The Century “Auditor Selection Committee” met Tuesday night to begin the process of selecting a new auditing firm by issuing a request for proposals for a new firm while following state guidelines.
The legal deadline for submitting the Annual Financial Report, often referred to simply as an audit, to the Florida Department of Financial Services is June 30 of each year.
As of January 9, Century’s 2021-22 fiscal year audit that was due June 30, 2023, had not been received and posted online by the Florida Auditor General, as NorthEscambia.com first reported on December 31.
The last audit with the state three months late for fiscal year 2020-21 found a deficit balance in the General Fund of $2.9 million and in the Natural Gas Fund of $1.8 million. A list of deficiencies and problems were also identified, many repeated from previous years.
A 2019 grand jury report that found gross mismanagement in the town, over a million dollars lost in utility operations, missing natural gas, about $3 million improperly borrowed from accounts with a 750-year payback plan, and a state of financial emergency. The town has never worked to follow many of the grand jury recommendations.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Comments
7 Responses to “Century Looks To Hire New Auditing Firm”
This is the best movie that could ever have been made by the council. Although it’s going to be hard to follow the paper trail of years gone by because the corruption has been going on for so long. This problem with corruption was going on long before this council was ever elected. The present council may have made some missteps, but they aren’t the real problem with Century. They may be inexperienced, but the problem with the Town of Century goes way beyond this council, they’re just trying to get to the bottom of all that has gone on for years. They may be inexperienced, but they are right to hire people who are not invested or involved with Century, who doesn’t have anything to lose or gain. There are things that have gone on at the Town of Century that probably should result in criminal charges being brought. It’s about time for changes to be made.
The Audit Selection Committee recommends Luis Gomez for auditor. He doesn’t know what he’s doing, so they’ll hire someone from out of town to “assist” Luis with the audit.
SPECIAL REPORT
ALL FORMER AUDITING RECORDS BURNS IN FIRE AT GOMEZ GARAGE!
Most communities periodically see a circus come to town, they stay a few days, and they are gone. In the case of Century, the circus came, it stayed and its alive and well. It is now known as the City Council of the not-so-great failing city of Century. I will dispense with comments regarding clown shows, etc.
SHUTERDOWN!
Shameful.
In a quick reading, one might think the accounting firm was the issue and why Century is seeking a new firm. Having worked with this firm in the past, I would guess the issue is likely relate to the dumpster-fire of mismanagement in Century and their lack of response to inquiries from the accountant. The accountant can’t work with no, or missing, data from the client.
Perhaps they should be looking for a firm equal to the incompetence of the city government. At least that way their malfeasance would be masked a little—just keep searching until you find someone to give a favorable financial report.
More malfeasance and incompetence.