Mt. Vernon passes audit with flying colors

City's net worth nearly $40 million in 2023
The city of Mt. Vernon received high marks on its audit for 2023, according to a report prepared by KPM CPAs and Advisors and presented to the board by Rebeca Baker, CPA, during the board’s meeting on Tuesday, April 9. According to unofficial minutes from the meeting, the board received a “clear opinion,” the highest rating possible.

Results of the audit
The audit showed that the city’s assets increased from $51,446,576 in 2022 to $51,778,700 in 2023, an increase of $332,124. Liabilities decreased from $14,760,095 in 2022 to 12,713,614 in 2023, a reduction of $2,046,481. The city’s net position went from $36,554,398 in 2022 to $39,108,216, an increase of $2,553,818.
The audit did recommend segregating certain duties “so that no one employee has access to both physical assets and the related accounting records, or to all phases of a transaction,” though the audit also noted that the recommended segregation might not be possible due to “limited resources and personnel.”
 
Mayor, aldermen sworn in
After the board passed an ordinance declaring the results of the April 2, 2024 election, the elected city officials were sworn in. City Clerk April Hale administered the oath of office to Mayor Jason Haymes, Ward II Alderman Cory Estes, Ward III Alderman Marda Gramm and Ward IV Alderman Lowell Phillips. Phillips was also declared acting president of the board and will lead board meetings in the absence of Haymes.

Other business
The board authorized a pay reimbursement of $11,704.54 to Own, Inc. (formerly Anderson Engineering) for work done on the Hickory Street sidewalk at the request of City Administrator Joe Kelley. Kelley also told the board that Mike Tebow announced that he would be retiring from his staff position at the MARC after 12 years of service and requested that the city begin the search to fill the position, which the board authorized.
The board also approved the purchase of five light poles for the Moore Ranch subdivision at a cost of $9,275 and the purchase of 48 buckets of pulsar tabs for the city pool at a cost of $8,940.
The board further approved the purchase of computers for the city’s police vehicles at a cost of $38,547 and to have the computers installed by DaZZee at a cost of $5,800.
Additionally, the board approved the re-hiring of Shawn Wilson for a seasonal Parks Maintenance position, and the re-hiring of Madalyn Cook for the clerk position at the golf course. Both hirings are contingent on mandatory background checks and drug tests.
The board also agreed to have the police department advertise for an open police officer position.