The financial audit for the City of Wayland was presented Monday night and once again Dan Veldhuizen of Siegfried Crandall commented, “Overall, the city’s financial condition is quite healthy.”
The auditor told the City Council there were fewer corrections needed than last year and identified budget weaknesses were reduced by one.
“The general fund balance (rainy day fund) is 35 percent, which is healthy,”Veldhuizen said. “The statewide average is between 10 and 20 percent.”
Much of the credit once again was given to the efforts
of Finance Director and Deputy City Manager Cheri Parrish, who was granted a slight pay increase in her employment agreement, bumped up to about $62,500 per year. She has been working for the city for more than four years now.
Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Antel praised Parrish and noted that about a dozen years ago the financial situation was critical, with less than $7,000 in the fund balance.
“The council has made a lot of tough decisions over the years to get us where we are.”
In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the council:
• Officially approved the employment agreement with City Manager Josh Eggleston at a salary of $85,000 and granted his request for his vacation carry-over into next month.
• Listened to a presentation from Jessica Flores on the National Register of Historical Places, who indicated Wayland and Negaunee are the two best prospects among her clients for historic designation and possibilities of getting facade grants. Council voted to approve further exploration of project possibilities.
• Approved a contract revision for the police labor contract, about which Eggleston commented, “Overall it promotes equity for all concerned.”
• Agreed to establish a charter review committee during the next year.
• Was told by Eggleston that he has set a deadline of Aug. 1, 2019, for completion of the Lumberyard Events project.
