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Tag: Mayor J. Michael Ross

  • Auditor: Town’s books were a mess

    Council Advised To Hire Competent Accountant

    BLYTHEWOOD – Before presenting the audit for the town government during Monday night’s town council meeting, Gary Bailey, with Love, Bailey Auditors of Laurens, S.C., spoke plainly about the condition in which he found the town’s books when he was called to audit them last November.

    “The books were really in a mess,” Bailey said.

    During the May town council meeting, Mayor J. Michael Ross announced that the town’s books were not in order and hadn’t been for some time. He said the town “has not even commenced the annual audit process for the 2016-17 audit.”

    To that end, the town hired the CPA firm of Sheheen, Hancock and Godwin of Camden to bring the town’s books up to the level that they could be audited. That audit was presented just seven days before the July 30 deadline when, by state law, the state could begin to withhold state funds from the town.

    “It appears this situation has resulted from management’s failure to properly transition to the new accounting software system which was recommended to this council by professional public administrators who then failed to attain implementation,” Ross stated during the May council meeting.

    Ross credited the town’s newly hired administrator, Brian Cook, for detecting the deficiency very early in his service to Blythewood. Cook was hired last February to replace Gary Parker who retired. Assistant administrator Chris Keefer left her position in June.

    By Monday night, however, all appeared to be well.

    “[Sheheen] did an excellent job,” Bailey told council. “After they took hold of your books, we didn’t find any major issues. The town is in a very strong position.”

    Bailey gave the town a stern warning, however, going forward.

    “You can see the alternative of not having a qualified person in place [to do the town’s accounting.] Hiring someone without expertise cost you way more than just outsourcing for a fraction of the time that was needed [to get the books in order],” Bailey said.

    Hitting the highlights of the audit, Bailey said the town’s total general fund increased by $173,000 to $1.562 million and, of that, only $359,000 was restricted to debt service. The other $1.2 million was unassigned.

    “The general fund cash balances increased to $1.2 million in fy 2016, but dropped a bit to around $800,000 in fy 2017 because you have a lot of projects going on and transferred a good bit over to capital projects,” Bailey said.

    The unassigned fund balance of $1.2 million represented about 87 percent of the fy 2017 expenditures which, Bailey said, was very strong.

    “Most town’s push to have a 25 percent minimum fund balance. Yours is 87 percent, so that’s really strong,” Bailey said.

    Bailey reported that the town’s general fund expenses were $1.38 million for fy 2017 based on operating cash, not restricted cash, which gave the town almost 10-1/2 months of cash flow.

    “If you didn’t bring in a single dollar for 10-1/2 months, you’d have enough to continue funding the town. That’s very strong even at June 30, 2018,” Bailey told council.

    Bailey reported that while the overall general fund revenue did decrease by about $65,000 from fy 2016 to fy 2017, it was mostly isolated to building fees and permits.

    Expenditures, Bailey said, also went down about $10,000 in fy 2017 due primarily to payroll being up about $9,000.

    “You had about $14,000 in capital outlays within the general fund, but all other expenses decreased $33,000 from the previous year,” Bailey said.

    The good news, Bailey said, is that the town’s revenue was $64,000 more than was budgeted and expenses were $168,000 below what was budgeted.

    “You spent a lot of money in fy 2017 and wrapped it up in fy 2018,” Bailey said. “Overall capital outlay in fy 2017 was $865,000, mostly for two projects: the amphitheater for $416,000 and the Doko building for $408,000.

    The audit showed that Doko Meadows is becoming a bright spot instead of a blight on the town’s financial picture. Revenue increased from $135,000 in fy 2016 to $175,000 in fy 2017 The unadjusted fy 2018 numbers have the revenue at $212,000. Bailey also pointed out that the Doko Meadows losses decreased from $77,000 in fy 2017 to $35,000 in fy 2018.

    The outstanding balance on the bond that was used to construct Doko Meadows is $4.4 million.

    Going forward, Cook said the town is evaluating how it wants to reconfigure staffing to handle the town’s accounting. He said the 2016 transition from outsourcing the town’s accounting to an in-house system bogged down.

    “We’re thinking about hiring a qualified accountant and doing it ourselves, now, but with oversight from Sheheen. We have some controls in place and we’ll continue to have a CPA check up on us, maybe monthly at first and less frequently over time,” Cook said. “It’s going to take a little time to get set up.”

    Cook said he expects the town’s books to be ready for the fy 2018 audit to begin in October and Bailey said that audit is on track to be presented before Christmas.

  • Town hires CPA to right its financials

    BLYTHEWOOD – Town Council passed final reading last week on the Town’s 2018-19 budget set at $1,565,114.

    Town administrator Brian Cook said there were only a few changes in the budget since the first reading in May. Of note, however, is a transfer of $25,000 from the contingency fund into accounting services.

    “That accounts partly for the cost of a review of our accounting records that we need moving forward,” Cook said.

    He was referencing an announcement made by Mayor J. Michael Ross at the May council meeting that the town’s accounting and financial record keeping was not in proper order and that town hall “has not even commenced the annual audit process for last year’s (2016-17) audit.”

    Ross said, however, that he believed the town’s finances to be in solid shape.

    “It appears this situation has resulted from management’s failure to properly transition to the new accounting software system which was recommended to this council by professional public administrators who then failed to attain implementation,” Ross said.

    Ross thanked Cook publicly for detecting this deficiency very early in his service to Blythewood. Cook was hired last February to replace Gary Parker who retired. Assistant administrator Chris Keefer left her position last month.

    “Mr. Cook and the town’s staff are working diligently to correct this issue, and we hope to have the books ready for external independent audit within the next 45-60 days,” Ross said at the May meeting.

    In an interview with The Voice on Monday, Cook reported that Love Bailey, an auditor hired by the Town, has completed the audit for 2016 and that he expects it to be presented at the July town council meeting. Cook said Love Bailey is also organizing the Town’s books for the 2017-18 audit which he said he expects to be presented on schedule in the late fall.

    Budget Highlights

    The proposed 2018-19 budget reflects $202,111 in building permits and fees, an increase of $17,111 over last year. Council also sees business licenses inside the town increasing from $94,871 to $113,351 and business license outside the town increasing from $80,188 to $92,491.

    Town Hall salaries include a three percent cost of living and a three percent merit based pot. A sum of $9,250 is set aside in the budget for boardwalk security cameras in the park and $3,500 for supplies for the amphitheater.

    Cook said that due to pending development projects under consideration, it is anticipated to have an increase in state accommodation tax and hospitality tax of $6,513 and $6,255 respectively.

    The annual economic development grant for the Greater Blythewood Chamber of Commerce will increase from $15,000 to $17,500, and is funded out of the general fund.  Council continued to fund the visitor center at $18,500 even though it voted to only fund it for 6 months at $9,250. It increased the Historical Society’s funding from $20,500 to $21,500.

    Council also proposes to fund $10,000 of accommodation tax revenue for The Big Grab in September, an increase of $1,250 over last year, but it has not been determined whether that funding will be allocated for the Chamber this year. The Chamber has received the funding the last two years.

  • Dispose of meds at Town Hall

    BLYTHEWOOD – As a pharmacist by profession, Mayor J. Michael Ross is concerned about proper disposal of all drugs, even those that were prescribed but never finished for one reason or another and are sitting in a cabinet unprotected.

    To help break the chain of illicit access and to help curb the opioid epidemic that is both national and Blythewood local, the mayor has contracted with DisposeRx to provide homes in the Blythewood area with a process where families can effortlessly be part of the ‘access’ solution.

    DisposeRx has developed a prescription drug disposal solution that both physically and chemically binds medications into a permanent and environmentally safe gel. The packets are formulated to be used with tablets, powders, capsules, patches and liquid medications and are available FREE at Town Hall. Stop by and pick up a packet today or call Julie Emory at 803-754-0501 if you have questions.

  • Town Hall meeting to address traffic circle

    BLYTHEWOOD  –  Blythewood Town Council has scheduled a town hall meeting concerning a traffic circle proposed for Blythewood Road to be constructed through the Richland Penny Tax program. Controversy has picked up over the proposed traffic circle that would impact the Blythewood Road entrances to Cobblestone Park, Palmetto Citizens Bank, the Food Lion shopping complex and two properties owned by Blythewood businessman Larry Sharpe.

    “Council is going to be discussing the circle and proposing some solutions to possible traffic problems associated with the circle, and we hope residents will attend the meeting and provide their input,” Mayor J. Michael Ross said.

    The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 24, at 6 p.m. at the Manor. For more information, call Town Hall at 754-0501.

  • Town retreat set for Saturday

    BLYTHEWOOD – Town Council’s annual day-long working retreat will be held this Saturday, March 10, at The Manor in Doko Park. According to Mayor J. Michael Ross, this year’s retreat will be larger and different from past retreats in that he and Council are making an all-out effort to include resident participation this year.

    “The public has always been invited to our retreats,” Ross said. “But not many of them ever attend. This year, we want them to attend. Even if they cannot come for the whole day, maybe they can stop by for a few minutes and make their voices heard. We can’t do what the people want if we don’t know what they want.” Ross said.

    “We’re going to have a citizen’s comment section after each discussion item during the day. And, as always,” Ross said, “there will be ample time during the meeting for open citizen comment, so whether a citizen comes for morning session or afternoon session, they will be encouraged to engage with Council.”

    The retreat will be held from 9 a.m. until approximately 4 p.m. and will include a Taste of Blythewood, a special luncheon, from 12 – 1 p.m., prepared by the town’s restaurants.

    Council has sketched out a preliminary list of topics.

    “We’re going to talk about the plan of Columbia and Richland County to form a consolidated government and what that will mean for us,” Ross said. “It might be beneficial to our 29016 Blythewood neighbors to annex into the Town so they can vote and to pre-empt Columbia’s and Richland County’s plan that could possibly force their annexation into Columbia,” Ross said.

    Ross said he also wants to discuss other topics including creating a new baseball/softball complex in the town to host tournaments, a multi-use trail plan, a vending stand ordinance and perhaps an economic development report on potential development of businesses in the town.

    “We hope folks will let us know if they are coming to the retreat so we will know how to plan. But please plan to attend,” Ross said. “We’ll be shaping the next year and years to come.”

  • Town breaks ground for Broad River Project

    WINNSBORO – HPG engineer Ken Parnell, Danny Stuck with DS Utilities, Blythewood Mayor J. Michael Ross, Ridgeway Mayor Charlene Herring, Winnsboro Town Councilmen Clyde Sanders, Jackie Wilkes (former), John McMeekin, Town Manager Don Wood, Winnsboro Mayor Roger Gaddy, attorney John Fantry, Fairfield County Councilwoman Bertha Goins and Fairfield County Administrator Jason Taylor broke ground for the Broad River Water Project on Wednesday.

  • Expansion of The Point II postponed

    BLYTHEWOOD – Mayor J. Michael Ross was notified today that the developer of a proposed expansion of The Point II has decided to delay the development of The Point Phase II, and will not be coming before Council tonight seeking a letter of approval of the expansion. Should it be decided to go forward at a later date, the developer said he would contact the town at that time.

    Related Story:  The Pointe apartments ask for expansion, 2/22/18

  • The Pointe apartments ask for expansion

    BLYTHEWOOD – A request for an expansion of The Pointe at Blythewood, a low income apartment complex that opened last year on Main Street, across from Blythewood Consignment, will be heard by Town Council Monday evening during its regular monthly meeting. Council will also hear from a developer who is proposing a second senior living facility in the Town on acreage behind the Food Lion Shopping Center next to Cobblestone Park.

    “We received a letter from Prestwick Developers asking Council to approve a letter that would allow 32 additional apartments to be built on two acres behind the current Pointe complex,” Mayor J. Michael Ross told The Voice on Wednesday. “We’ll just have to see what Council wants to do after they make their presentation,” Ross said.

    The senior center proposal will be presented by the developer’s representative, Mark Richardson, a Cobblestone resident.

    “What they’re proposing is different from the senior center proposed next to the IGA,” Ross said. “This one is more of a town house style.”

    Council will be voting on approval letters for both the expansion for The Pointe and the senior living center.

  • Winnsboro Town Council OKs water for BW senior center

    Winnsboro Council OKs water capacity for proposed Senior Center in Blythewood

    WINNSBORO – A 64-room senior living facility proposed for downtown Blythewood crossed a major hurdle Monday night when the Town of Winnsboro voted unanimously to approve a Water Capacity Availability and Willingness to Serve Letter for The Pendergraph Companies. The letter approves 11,520 gallons per day (GPD) for the facility.

    The facility, to be named Blythewood Senior Living, is proposed for a five-acre site on Creech Road between the Russell Jeffcoat offices and the IGA and behind Larry Sharpe’s BP service station and three other lots facing Blythewood Road.

    According to Tom Ulrich, the project manager for the proposal, the water capacity is based on 32 two-bedroom apartment homes and 32 one-bedroom apartment homes. Ulrich told The Voice following the meeting that the facility would be for residents who live independently.

    “The rooms will all be in one building, like a hotel,” Ulrich said.

    Ulrich came before the Blythewood Town Council in the fall of 2017 to give Town Hall a heads up that his company was considering bringing a senior living facility to the town. Ulrich told The Voice that the company has been in discussions with Town officials for some months.

    “I wrote a reference letter for the developer stating this would be great for our town,” Mayor J. Michael Ross said, “but that we are not advocating for any more affordable living apartments. We are very excited that this facility might come to Blythewood.”

    “The project looks very positive from the developer’s perspective,” the Winnsboro’s utility attorney, John Fantry, said. “They’ve already built one of these facilities in Lancaster County. Now they’re taking that vision to Blythewood. They are currently doing due diligence for financing on a tract of about 52 acres on Creech Road. The developer will be coming back to us when financing is worked out. This particular request is to provide assurance to their financing process that Winnsboro does have the capacity to serve the proposed facility’s water needs,” Fantry said.

    Ulrich said he expects the project to be complete by the end of 2019.

    “We should have our water from Broad River by then,” Mayor Roger Gaddy said. “We oughta have all kinds of water to sell.”

  • Earnest money kinks Doko sale

    Doko Depot

    BLYTHEWOOD – While Town Council struck a deal more than two months ago to sell the Doko Depot building and the property it sits on to a Columbia developer, Wheeler & Wheeler, it turns out the deal is not done yet.

    Council voted Dec. 16 to authorize Mayor J. Michael Ross to sign the contract which called for Wheeler & Wheeler to make a $16,250 earnest money deposit on the $325,000 sale prior to a 60-day inspection period. Now Wheeler’s lawyer has reported to the Town’s attorney Jim Meggs that Wheeler wants to back out of the original earnest money schedule.

    “I had a call from Mr. Wheeler’s lawyer complaining about the $16,250 earnest money,” Meggs reported to Council Monday night. “He said Wheeler doesn’t want to tie up $16,250 for 60 days. [He wants to] split the earnest money into two chunks – $5,000 initially [5 days after receipt of a fully executed agreement] and the balance ($11,250) at the end of the 60-day inspection period, when the contract is closed,” Meggs said.

    “But we’ve lost some time,” Meggs said.

    While Meggs suggested the Town allow Wheeler & Wheeler to split the earnest money into two parts, he said the amended contract would shorten Wheeler’s inspection period to 45 days and would not be delayed for everybody to sign the contract or for second reading of the amended ordinance.

    In regard to depositing the two earnest money payments, Meggs said, “We would specify that the effective date of the contract is tomorrow (Jan. 23) and that the 45 days inspection period commences tomorrow as well,” Meggs said.

    Council voted unanimously to approve the amended contract.