Pittard, Perry & Crone, Inc. - Mr. Jeff Best - Audit Presentation 2000-2001
Mayor Boyette introduced Mr. Jeff Best with Pittard, Perry and Crone, Inc. who presented the 2000-2001 Fiscal Year Audit. Mr. Best stated that he would give a brief overview of the audit and encouraged the Council to ask any questions they may have or to contact him in his office with any questions. Mr. Best then gave an overview of the budget as follows:

PG. 9 Combined Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance
Fund Balance beginning of year			$2,024,734
Fund Balance end of year			$1,990,386	Difference: $34,348
PG. 10 Combined Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Retained Earnings
All Proprietary Fund Types
Retained Earnings beginning of year			$2,138,387
Retained Earnings end of year			$3,008,893	Difference: $870,506
PG. 12-25 Notes to General Purpose Financial Statement - there were no significant Changes
PG. 28 General Fund, Comparative Balance Sheet
Cash June 30, 2001 - $2,145,446			Cash June 30, 2000 - $2,034,243
Liabilities 6-30-2001 $2,145,446			Liabilities 6-30-2000 $2,304,243
PG. 35 Special Revenue Funds Combining Balance Sheet
Elevation Project		Disaster Relief Initiative		Crisis Housing Assistance
$1,500		$9,926		$2,946
Total Liabilities and Fund Balance			$14,372
PG. 39 Crisis Housing Assistance Program
Total Revenues		$199,854
PG 41 Combined Balance Sheet Enterprise Fund
Total Cash $1,661,711 - June 30, 2001
PG. 55 Tax Levy
Tax Collections at 83.78%
Property Excluding Registered Motor Vehicles 85.56%
Registered Motor Vehicles 73.46%

Town Manager Johnson stated that the Local Government Commission (LGC) will notify the town of the tax collection rate because LGC prefers for town=s to have at least a 95% collection rate. Town Manager Johnson further explained that taxes are collected at a higher percentage but over a longer period of time.

Mr. Best stressed the need to segregate duties and also stated that in a small office it is hard to do without increasing the number of employees. He also noted that the utility billing ledger should be reconciled with the general ledger on a monthly basis and hopefully a computer program can be obtained to perform this needed procedure. Mr. Best stated that the town remains in a good financial state. Mayor Boyette thanked Mr. Best for his report and stated that the town was in good financial state due to good fiscal management. Town Manager Johnson commended Mrs. Robin Godsell, Finance Director, for her efforts, stating that this was her first audit, as the finance director.

Mayor's Comments
Mayor Boyette stated that some time ago Tideland EMC had contacted the town concerning some large planters which were at Tideland=s Appliance store on the east side of Washington, in which the store was closing and the planters could be donated to the town. Mayor Boyette stated that the town accepted these, as a donation, and picked up the planters and placed beside Town Hall, behind the Municipal Building, at the Civic Center and the Multi-Purpose building. Mayor Boyette suggested that a thank you be written to Tideland EMC for this donation.

Mayor Boyette recognized Mr. Chuck Latham, in the audience, who stated that the planters were donated but some cost was involved in picking up the planters. Mayor Boyette reiterated that no funds were disbursed for the planters and that the cost in picking the planters up was the only expense.

Martin Luther King Holiday - Cancellation of Town Meeting
Mayor Boyette stated that the next scheduled Council meeting would be on Monday, January 21, 2002 which was a town holiday and asked the Council to consider canceling the meeting or rescheduling. Councilman Hodges made the motion to cancel the January 21, 2002 meeting and if necessary to meet to reschedule the meeting for the 28th. Councilman Ebron seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Town Manager's Report
Town Manager Johnson reported the following: Beaufort County Economic Development Meeting, as requested by the Council, will meet on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 at 7:00 P.M. at the

Boyette Civic Center - Mayor Boyette extended invitation to the general public and the Council as well; Councilwoman Heath stated that the new Library Dedication would be at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, January 27; Councilwoman Heath also stated that the business owners had made facade improvements to their businesses which had improved the downtown aesthetics; Mayor Boyette also praised business owner, Mr. Bud O'Neal on these improvements.

Public Comments
Mayor Boyette recognized the following: Mr. Roy O=Neal, business owner 264 By-Pass, who stated that he was concerned with the traffic hazards of the Hardie's entrance and the first entrance to FoodLion; Mr. O'Neal further explained that the two driveways are very close together and when someone is pulling into the Food Lion entrance, you may think they were pulling into the Hardee's entrance.

Mrs. Jane Dilday, resident, Water Street, questioned the effect of the revaluation of those homes which had been elevated. Town Manager Johnson stated that the revaluations of those homes which were elevated would not increase in value the amount of the cost of the elevation and that the elevation should not make a significant change in the value.

Ms. Del Stutzman, resident Lamont Street, informed the public that some 65 year old tax payers may be partially exempt from paying taxes based on income.

Adjournment
There being no further business, Councilwoman Heath made the motion to adjourn. Councilman Baker seconded the motion which carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 P.M.