By Nick Mattera
An unqualified auditing opinion — the highest possible opinion— was given to the Village of Lewiston in an independent audit, something Mayor William H. Geiben said will give him a template from which to work from as he compiles his 2010 budget.
Patrick D. Brown of Brown & Company LLP said an audit of the village’s general, water and sewer funds for the year ending May 31,2009, showed no major exceptions, findings, errors or areas of concern and the village is financially in good standing.
“Overall the village’s total financial position of the operating fund has improved over last year and is in stable and good condition,” Brown said. “All funds have surplus fund balance.”
Brown said the water and sewer funds have a larger than necessary fund balance, but is not an issue because it puts the village in a good position in the case of unexpected water- and sewer-related repairs or emergencies.
The audit showed the village had a small loss in revenues but also cut its expenditures, leading to a positive fund balance.
Geiben said the water usage levels were down greatly, thanks to a rainy spring and summer, saving Lewiston thousands of dollars in usage fees.
The village works with a budget of about $3 million not including the capital project and Geiben said the surplus is “in the thousands.”
Geiben said he is going to work diligently over the next month to put together a budget that mirrors last years, with a few minor adjustments, but said in general he was happy with Monday’s report.
“The village has a good bill of health financially,” Geiben said. “We are in good shape and I plan to continue to guide the ship in the right direction as I prepare the budget for April.”
The mayor’s budget is due on April 29 and will be voted upon in the June village elections.
In other meeting related news, the board approved a $60,750 contract with NFP & Sons to replace 355 feet of sewer line on Seneca Street between South Fifth and Niagara streets. The village received six bids for the project and chose the lowest bidder, citing that the village had partnered with the North Tonawanda firm on projects before. Geiben said the project will be timely and will be completed under budget.
