County Gets Passing Grade on Audit; Road Complaints Arise
An independent auditor gave Fayette County a passing grade on it’s annual financial audit.
Greg Trlicek of Stephenson, Legrand and Pfeil LLLC presented the County’s 2022 annual financial audit at the Commissioners Court meeting last Thursday, Sept. 28.
“You got the unqualified, unmodified opinion … which is the best opinion you can get,” Trlicek said.
Trlicek reported that the County’s general fund ended the 2022 fiscal year with a fund balance of $2,543,689. Trlicek said $717,034 of that amount was categorized as an assigned fund balance – most of which, he said, was set aside in previous years as a contingency fund. That leaves an unassigned fund balance of $1,826,655.
“We recommend you always have three months (worth) of expenses in your fund balance,” Trlicek said.
He said the overall fund balance for the general fund, $2,543,689, represents 1.6 months worth of expenses.
“If you include your road and bridge funds into it, then you have about two and a half months of expenses,” Trlicek said.
Also at Thursday’s meeting, a pair of citizens from the Ledbetter area addressed the Fayette County Commissioners Court last Thursday about poor condition on Goehring Rd.
David and Karen Koska spoke during the public comment period at the Sept. 28 meeting.
“We live in Goehring Rd. and the issues need to be addressed,” said Karen Koska. “Potholes galore, we’re always dealing with flats. People won’t even drive down the road to see me. All I’m asking is if you can give it some attention.”
“The gravel washes out easy and needs to be brought up to a better grade,” said David Koska. County Judge Dan Mueller acknowledged their concerns.
“We got your point and we appreciate your comments,” Mueller said. “All four commissioners are cognizant of the importance of roads.”
In other business, Commissioners voted unanimously to purchase a used ten-bin recycling trailer with bins from Moulton I.S.D. for the Fayette County Recycling Center. Recycling Center Manager Paul Zapalac said Moulton I.S.D. sold the trailer at auction and the County won with a bid of $3,501. Zapalac said the trailer and bins would cost around $25,000 brand new.
In addition, the Commissioners authorized the Fayette County AgriLife Extension Service to seek bids for a new vehicle to transport 4-H students to events outside the County. Kayla Kaspar of the AgriLife office said her department intends to purchase a Chevy Suburban or Ford Expedition. Pct. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff offered to help the AgriLife office search for the vehicle.
Commissioners also authorized the purchase of a 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe for Pct. 3 Constable Robert Chambers. The Tahoe will be purchased from Parkway Chevrolet in Tomball for $49,378.75.