HANCEVILLE — Hanceville leaders are happy about the clean audit they received for 2023 — though they’re slightly less enthused about how much the service may cost the city in 2024 and beyond.
At its regular meeting Thursday, the Hanceville City Council reviewed the city’s recently returned audit covering the 2023 fiscal year, with Mayor Jimmy Sawyer noting the financial review’s overall favorable findings.
“I will say that we had what I feel like is a good, clean audit,” said Sawyer. “There were no discrepancies or anything like that concerning finances.”
The council additionally approved a $19,000 invoice payment to Cullman accountant Phyllis Brewer for conducting the audit, but Sawyer cautioned that amount will likely be the least the city sees for the same service in fiscal years to come.
“This is going to be Phyllis’ last year” offering the service, he said, citing the city’s ongoing search for a new independent accounting firm. “Next year’s audit,” he added, “is probably going to be quite a bit more expensive.”
In other business at its regular meeting, the council:
— Approved an amended agreement between the city and regional engineering firm Goodwyn Mills Cawood to account for additional planning services relating to the upcoming addition of a turn lane at the intersection of U.S. Highway 31 and Alabama Highway 91. Major funds for the project are being provided under the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation & Improvement Program II (ATRIP II); the amended agreement, said Sawyer, reflects an additional city-funded expense that will not exceed $5,000.
— Held a first reading, and took no further action on, Ordinance No. 2024-5, the city’s proposed new ordinance that makes provision for tattoo and body piercing services to operate in Hanceville. The first reading reflects the ordinance’s most recent verbiage, which the council has adjusted ahead of a planned Sept. 12 public hearing and subsequent possible vote on the measure.
— Approved the reappointment of Wade Smith to the Place 5 seat on the Hanceville Water Works & Sewer Board.
— Approved the reappointment of Margaret Cowart to the Place 3 seat on the Hanceville Library Board.
— Approved the minutes of the council’s Aug. 8 regular meeting.
— The next regular meeting of the Hanceville City Council will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12 in the council meeting room at city hall. A public 5 p.m. work session will precede the meeting at the same location.