FROSTPROOF – For the city’s financial watchdogs, it was like getting a good checkup from the doctor or a straight-A report card.
“I take pride in that,” said Melody Sauerhafer, Frostproof’s finance manager, of the recent audit report for the 2016-17 municipal fiscal year that ended Sept. 30.
The audit, done by Baylis & Co. in Lakeland, contained no “findings,” or financial procedures requiring correction.
Zero.
Zip.
Nada.
Although not unknown, an audit with zero findings is uncommon, said Mike Brynjulfson, an Auburndale certified public accountant who advises Frostproof, Polk City and other municipalities.
“It’s a tough task every year,” he said.
In the 2016-17 audit report, Frostproof had only one finding dealing with financial controls in its monthly reconciliation of municipal accounts, Sauerhafer said. The current audit was her first taste of perfection.
“When past auditors tell us to implement changes, we do it. That helps our internal controls,” she said. “A lot of credit needs to go to Mike (Brynjulfson). He brings it all together. He’s awesome.”
Brynjulson returned the compliment.
“Melody is sharp; she does a good job,” he said.
The perfect audit stands in sharp contrast to the city’s financial shape when Sauerhafer joined the city 12 years ago, hired by then new City Manager Tenny Croley, she and Brynjulfson agreed.
Upon her arrival in 2006, Sauerhafer discovered the city’s 2002-03 audit report, which must be submitted to the state the following year, had not been completed, she said. The state government had declared a financial emergency in Frostproof, the routine designation for tardy reports, that affects a local government’s ability to participate in some state programs.
When the report was completed, it had 18 findings, some of them major issues, Sauerhafer said.
It took the next several years to catch up with tardy audit reports and get them to the state on time, she added.
“It was a real mess,” Sauerhafer recalled.
Brynjulfson began two years ago as Frostproof’s audit adviser, he said, but he reviewed past audits and heard about the earlier financial difficulties from Croley and Sauerhafer.
“They were in horrible shape,” Brynjulfson said. “Long term I think Frostproof has a hell of a story. When Tenny (Croley) and then Melody (Sauerhafer) came on, it was the beginning of the turnaround.”
Councilman Austin Gravley also expressed pride with the 2016-17 audit.
“I was pleased with the financial report,” he said. “I would give all the city staff credit, especially the department heads for watching out for the money.”
Gravley also expressed confidence the staff and council can keep the momentum going.
“The council has made some good financial decisions, paying off debt and reducing fees,” he said. “I hope we can keep on that track.”
Kevin Bouffard can be reached at kevin.bouffard@theledger.com or at 863-401-6980.