KINGMAN – A glowing audit and capital improvements were among matters handled during the Jan. 21 Kingman City Council meeting. The session began on a high note with an abbreviated presentation of the annual comprehensive financial report for fiscal year 2023-24.
“We did issue an unmodified, or clean opinion, which is the best of the best, the highest level of assurance that the city can get,” said Tiffany Montalvo, audit manager with Forvis Mazars, LLP. “In layman’s terms, it’s like an A-plus on your report card.”
“That’s what every governmental entity should strive to achieve and you achieved that for the fiscal year,” agreed CPA Rachel Ormsby. “In addition to these clean, unmodified opinions, we did not identify any significant deficiencies or any material weaknesses in internal controls.”
Audit finding highlights include:
- Retail and restaurant transaction privilege tax collections continued to surpass the prior year’s collections by $700,000.
- Earnings from investments fared far better than expected with the higher interest rate environment with earnings of nearly $5.3-million, compared with prior year reported earnings of $2.5-million.
Ormsby and Montalvo commended Finance Director Tina Moline and staff for excellent work, given accounting complexities associated with the Dross site project at the airport, finance matters involving the Rancho Santa Fe Interstate 40 project and a substantial mix of grant funded activity.
The Council awarded the low bid of $2.56-million dollar to local contractor Tr. Orr, Inc. to remodel multiple city facilities. Orr’s bid is below the $3.18-million already budgeted for the work at three fire stations, Public Works and the Police Department. - A 292 sq. ft. addition and renovation of 1,814 sq. feet of interior space is contemplated at Fire Station 21 at 301 N. 5th St. The interior remodel consists of relocating the living room and kitchen to another area, creating additional bedrooms, and remodeling the restrooms, laundry room, storage room, and gym.
- Upgrades planned Fire Station 23 at 4000 N. Sierra Road include a
961 sq. ft. addition. The living area, kitchen, and bedrooms will be updated with paint, cabinets, flooring, and fixtures. Bathroom showers are to be replaced. - A full remodel at Fire Station 24 at 302 Eastern Street will involve reworking the kitchen and living room and modifying areas to create an office, a working area, and a turnout gear room.
- A bathroom remodel will occur at the Police department at 2730 E. Andy Devine Avenue. The project will consist of the partial demolition and remodel of a women’s restroom within an existing building, along with tile and fixture replacements in the men’s room.
- Renovation at the Public Works facility at 3700 E. Andy Devine will include converting an existing space into a women’s restroom and remodeling the existing men’s rooms. Additional work in the conference and break areas is also included.
Dave Hawkins
