062424 Study Session Mins AdoptedPage 1 of 2
MINUTES OF JUNE 24, 2024
Briton S. Williams, Mayor
Jenafer F. McCauley, Councilmember – Mayor Pro Tem
David B. Buck, Councilmember
Pat C. Carpenter, Councilmember
David W. McGhee, Councilmember
Eric H. Presnell, Councilmember
Kevin W. Toole, Councilmember
ORDER OF BUSINESS
STUDY SESSION
The Study Session of June 24, 2024 for the City Council of the City of North Augusta, having been duly publicized,
was called to order by Mayor Briton S. Williams at 6:00pm and also streamed online for public viewing at the
City Facebook page: “City of North Augusta – Public Information” and City YouTube page: “City of North Augusta
Public Information.”
Per Section 30-4-80(e) notice of the meetings was sent out by email to the current maintained “Agenda Mailout”
list consisting of news media outlets and individuals or companies requesting notification. Notice of the
meetings was also posted on the outside doors of the Municipal Center, the main bulletin board of the Municipal
Center located on the first floor, and the City of North Augusta website.
Members present were Mayor Williams, Councilmembers, Buck, Carpenter, McCauley, McGhee, and Toole.
Member absent was Councilmember Presnell.
Also in attendance were James S. Clifford, City Administrator; J.D. McCauley, Assistant Administrator; Kelly F.
Zier, City Attorney; Thomas C. Zeaser, Director of Engineering and Public Works; Captain Kevin Hayes, Public
Safety; Tommy Paradise, Director of Planning & Development; James Sutton, Director of Public Services; Rick
Meyer, Director of Parks & Recreation, Derek Boyd, Events Coordinator; Lynda Williamson, Director of Finance;
Tara Boulware, Manager of Finance; Kayla Ferguson, Manager of Human Resources; Jamie Paul, City Clerk; and
Ricky Jones, Manager of Information Technology.
Page 1 of 2
PUBLIC POWER HOUR
July 1, 2024 – 5:30 p.m. - Municipal Center – 100 Georgia Avenue, 3rd Floor - Council Chambers
DRAFT AGENDA: CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING
July 1, 2024 – 6:00 p.m. – Municipal Center – 100 Georgia Avenue, 3rd Floor - Council Chambers
The Public Power Hour and City Council meeting will be streamed for public viewing online at:
• “City of North Augusta – Public Information” on www.Facebook.com
• “City of North Augusta Public Information” on www.YouTube.com
CITIZEN COMMENTS: Citizens may speak to Mayor and City Council on each item listed on this agenda. The Mayor will call
for comments prior to Council’s discussion. Speakers shall give their name and address in an audible tone of voice. Speaker
Forms are provided on the credenza at the entrance for speakers desiring that the minutes indicate that they addressed Council
on a specific topic. The form will be included as part of the minutes of the meeting. Citizen comments are limited to five
minutes.
CITIZEN ASSISTANCE: Individuals needing special assistance or sign interpreter to participate in the meeting, please notify the
Administration Department 48 hours prior to the meeting.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
• Regular City Council Meeting minutes of June 17, 2024
• Special Called Study Session minutes of June 24, 2024
5. PROCLAMATIONS:
a. Parks & Recreation Month
OLD BUSINESS
6. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: Ordinance No. 2024-14 To Amend the Zoning Map of the City of North
Augusta, South Carolina by Rezoning ± 128.79 Acres of Land Owned by James M. Ford, et al, Aiken
County Tax Parcel No. 021-17-01-001 from R-10, Medium Lot, Single-Family Residential to R-7, Small
Lot, Single-Family Residential – Second Reading
ATTACHMENT #1
Page 2 of 2
NEW BUSINESS
7. PUBLIC SERVICES: Resolution No. 2024-27 Authorizing the City of North Augusta to Enter into a
Contract for the Transfer Station Facility
8. PARKS & RECREATION: Resolution No. 2024-28 Authorizing the City of North Augusta to Enter into a
Contract with TKE for Riverview Park Elevator Modernization
9. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
10. PRESENTATIONS/COMMUNICATIONS/RECOGNITION OF VISITORS:
A. Citizen Comments: At this time, citizens may speak to Mayor and City Council regarding matters not
listed on the agenda. Speakers shall give their name and address for the records. Speaker Forms are
provided on the credenza for speakers desiring that the minutes indicate that they addressed Council
on a specific topic. The form will be included as part of the minutes of the meeting. Citizen comments
are limited to five minutes.
B. Council Comments:
11. ADJOURNMENT
ATTACHMENT #1
FINANCE:
• Cycle 1 Due Date – July 5
• Cycle 2 Due Date – July 19
• No Disconnects in the month of July while software conversion rolls out
PUBLIC SERVICES:
• Solid Waste Transfer Station
• EPA Water Service Line Material Inventory
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT:
• No BZA meeting in July
• Plans for a Mavis Tire & Brakes business has been approved next to Taco Bell on Knox
• Participate in consultant interviews for ARTS Regional Transportation Plan tomorrow
PUBLIC SAFETY:
• Public Safety was awarded the SC Dept. of Public Safety’s Agency of the Year Award
• PSO Doug Ruben was awarded the SC Dept. of Public Safety’s Officer of the Year Award on
Thursday at the DUI Enforcement Recognition Ceremony.
PARKS AND RECREATION:
• The Center Street Greeneway tunnel Mural Ribbon Cutting ceremony will be Tuesday, June 25 at
4pm. Greeneway is also getting a new wooden fence this week.
• Riverview Park Activities Center is hosting the Antonio Grant Basketball Camp this week. North
Augusta High School is hosting youth football & cheerleading camps this week.
• Parks & Recreation has 18 Adult Softball teams in the summer wood bat league. Games are played
on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings.
• Sports Tourism: South Carolina High School League Basketball Event this past weekend:
o Sleep Inn & Suites – 13 rooms reserved for Friday only
o Tru by Hilton North Augusta-had 15+ rooms reserved by teams this weekend
o Crowne Plaza – 20 rooms were reserved by teams this weekend
TOURISM:
• Music in the Park Finale on June 27
• 803 Night on Saturday, August 3
ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS:
• Front Street Parking Improvements
HUMAN RESOURCES:
• See the following page for the Employment Opportunities list
DEPARTMENT DETAILS
for June 24, 2024
ATTACHMENT #2 Page 1 of 2
To apply and to see full job descriptions please visit www.northaugustasc.gov/jobs. You may also contact Human Resources
for more information at 803-442-5710 or kferguson@northaugustasc.gov.
The City of North Augusta is an Equal Opportunity Employer
EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
Building Standards Inspector II – Building Standards
Grade: 15
Salary/pay Rate: $24.50 - $29.40
Closing Date: Until Filled (July 1, 2024 Start)
Center Program Coordinator – Parks and Recreation
Grade: 10
Salary/Pay Rate: $19.65 - $23.58
Closing Date: 06/25/2024
Communications Technician I – Public Safety
Grade: 10
Salary/Pay Rate: $19.65 - $23.58
Closing Date: Until Filled
Engineering Inspector II – Engineering
Grade: 15
Salary/pay Rate: $24.50 - $29.40
Closing Date: Until Filled (July 1, 2024 Start)
Firefighter – Public Safety
Grade: 4
Salary/Pay Rate: $13.31 - $15.97/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Grounds Worker III – Parks and Recreation
Grade: 7
Salary/Pay Rate: $16.75 – $20.10/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Grounds Worker III – Property Maintenance
Grade: 7
Salary/Pay Rate: $16.75 – $20.10/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Public Safety Officer – Public Safety
Grade: 16
Salary/Pay Rate: $23.83 - $28.59/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Trades Worker – Streets & Drains
Grade: 8
Salary/Pay Rate: $17.71 - $21.26/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Vehicle Operator II – Sanitation
Grade: 10
Salary/Pay Rate: $19.65 - $23.58/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
Utility Technician – Public Utilities
Grade: 9
Salary/Pay Rate: $18.68 - $22.42/hour
Closing Date: Until Filled
ATTACHMENT #2 Page 2 of 2
Presentation of Annual Audit Results
June 24, 2024
ITEM #3Ai Page 1 of 18
1
Presentation of Annual
Audit Results
June 24, 2024
Engagement Team
Results of the 2023 Audit
Financial Trends
Comments and Other Matters
Questions
Meeting Agenda
ITEM #3Ai Page 2 of 18
2
Presentation of Annual
Audit Results
June 24, 2024
Engagement Team
ITEM #3Ai Page 3 of 18
3
Presentation of Annual
Audit Results
June 24, 2024
Results of 2023 Audit
Our Responsibility Under Auditing Standards Generally Accepted in the United States of America (GAAS) and
Government Auditing Standards (GAS)
–Our audit was performed in accordance with GAAS and GAS.
–We considered the internal control structure for the purpose of expressing our opinion on the City’s financial
statements and not for the purpose of providing assurance on the internal control structure.
–Our objective is to provide reasonable—not absolute—assurance that the basic financial statements are free from
material misstatement.
–The financial statements are the responsibility of the City’s management.
Report on 2023 Financial Statements
–Unmodified (“clean”)opinion on financial statements.
–Presented fairly in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).
–Our responsibility does not extend beyond financial information contained in our report.
Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting and on Compliance in Accordance with GAS
–No material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal control reported.
–No instances of noncompliance reported.
ITEM #3Ai Page 4 of 18
4
Presentation of Annual
Audit Results
June 24, 2024
Results of 2023 Audit
Single Audit Report for the Year Ended December 31,2023
–Conducted Single Audits in accordance with the Uniform Guidance over two (2)major program:
•U.S.Department of Treasury –Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds or “ARPA”($2.6 million)
•U.S.Department of Agriculture –Emergency Watershed Protection Program ($1.2 million)
–The City did not qualify as a “low risk”auditee per Federal guidelines.
–Unmodified (“clean”)opinion on compliance for the major programs.
–No material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal control over compliance reported.
ITEM #3Ai Page 5 of 18
5
Presentation of Annual
Audit Results
June 24, 2024
Required Communications
Significant Accounting Policies
–The significant accounting policies used by the City are described in Note 1 to the financial statements.
–The City was required to implement GASB Statement No.96,Subscription-based Information Technology
Arrangements,as of and for the year ended December 31,2023.This standard changed how the accounting for
contracts to use /subscribe to software and other IT related items (GASB 96).
–In considering the policies used by the City,we noted they are in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and similar government organizations with no significant new policies or qualitative aspects of its
policies.The City is not involved in any controversial or emerging issues for which guidance is not available.
Management Judgment/Accounting Estimates
–The City uses various estimates as part of its financial reporting process –including,but not limited to,the useful
lives of capital assets and actuarial assumptions related to its pension obligations.
–Management’s estimates used in preparation of the financial statements were deemed reasonable in relation to
the financial statements taken as a whole.We considered this information and the qualitative aspects of
management’s calculations in evaluating the City’s significant accounting estimates.
ITEM #3Ai Page 6 of 18
6
Presentation of Annual
Audit Results
June 24, 2024
Required Communications (Continued)
Financial Statement Disclosures
–The footnote disclosures to the financial statements are also an integral part of the financial statements and the
process used by management to accumulate the information included in the disclosures was the same process used in
accumulating the statements.The overall neutrality,consistency,and clarity of the disclosures was considered as part
our audit.
Relationship with Management
–We received full cooperation from the City’s management and staff.
–There were no disagreements with management on accounting issues or financial reporting matters.
Audit Adjustments
–There were no posted audit adjustments and no passed adjustments.
Representation from Management
–We requested written representations from management relating to the accuracy of information included in the
financial statements and the completeness and accuracy of various information requested by us,during the audit.
Management provided those written representations without a problem.
ITEM #3Ai Page 7 of 18
7
Presentation of Annual
Audit Results
June 24, 2024
Required Communications (Continued)
Consultation with Other Accountants
–To the best of our knowledge,management has not consulted with,or obtained opinions from,other independent
accountants during the year,nor did we face any issues requiring outside consultation.
Significant Issues Discussed with Management
–There were no significant issues discussed with management related to business conditions,plans,or strategies that
may have affected the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements.
Information in Documents Containing Audited Financial Statements
–Our responsibility for other information in documents containing the City’s basic financial statements and our report
thereon does not extend beyond the information identified in our report.If the City intends to publish or otherwise
reproduce the financial statements and make reference to our firm,we must be provided with printers’proof for our
review and approval before printing.The City must also provide us with a copy of the final reproduced material for our
approval before it is distributed.
Auditor Independence
–In accordance with AICPA professional standards,M&J is independent with regard to the City and its financial reporting
process.
–There were no fees paid to M&J for management advisory services during 2023 that might affect our independence as
auditors.
ITEM #3Ai Page 8 of 18
8
Presentation of Annual
Audit Results
June 24, 2024
2023 Financial Highlights
Total Assets = $297 million
–Cash = $58 million (unrestricted = $47 million vs. restricted = $11 million)
–Capital Assets = $232 million
Total Liabilities = $136 million
–Pension = $26 million
–Bonds Notes= $75 million
Net Position = $161 million
–Net Investment in Capital Assets = $139 million
–Restricted = $20 million
–Unrestricted = $2 million
ITEM #3Ai Page 9 of 18
9
Presentation of Annual
Audit Results
June 24, 2024
2023 Financial Highlights
Total Revenues = $61 million
–Property taxes= $14 million
–Water & Sewer = $11 million
Total Expenses = $49 million
Change in Net Position = $12 million (increase)
ITEM #3Ai Page 10 of 18
10
Presentation of Annual
Audit Results
June 24, 2024
2023 Financial Highlights
General Fund
Total Assets = $9.2 million
–Cash = $7.8
Total Liabilities = $3.5 million
Fund Balance = $5.7 million (83 days of total fund balance on hand)
–Restricted = $130,000
–Committed = $1.9 million
–Unassigned = $3.7 million
Total Revenues = $23 million
Total Expenditures = $23 million
Change in Fund Balance = $85,000 million (increase)
ITEM #3Ai Page 11 of 18
11
Presentation of Annual
Audit Results
June 24, 2024
2023 Financial Highlights
General Fund
9,714,091
7,682,907
1,664,728
1,716,786
901,098
1,347,399
General Fund Revenues -Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2023
Property taxes
Licenses and permits
Intergovernmental
Charges for services
Fines and forfeitures
Miscellaneous
ITEM #3Ai Page 12 of 18
12
Presentation of Annual
Audit Results
June 24, 2024
2023 Financial Highlights
General Fund
6,582,377
9,442,892
1,677,373
3,448,160
1,164,342 798,352
General Fund Expenditures -Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2023
General government
Public safety
Public works
Parks, recreation & tourism
Capital outlay
Debt service
ITEM #3Ai Page 13 of 18
13
Presentation of Annual
Audit Results
June 24, 2024
2023 Financial Highlights
General Fund
-
5,000,000
10,000,000
15,000,000
20,000,000
25,000,000
30,000,000
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Fiscal Year Ending December 31,
General Fund Revenues, Expenditures & Transfers
Revenues and Other Financing Sources Expenditures and Other Financing Uses
ITEM #3Ai Page 14 of 18
14
Presentation of Annual
Audit Results
June 24, 2024
2023 Financial Highlights
General Fund
(449,930)
385,147
2,273,917
(431,087)
85,062
(1,000,000)
(500,000)
-
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
Net Change in Fund Balance (FY 2019 Thru FY 2023)
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
ITEM #3Ai Page 15 of 18
15
Presentation of Annual
Audit Results
June 24, 2024
Comments & Other Matters
New GASB Pronouncements for Future Years
–GASB Statement No.101,Compensated Absences,will require governments to evaluate all types of leave offered to
employees (PTO,vacation,sick,comp,personal,etc.)and record a liability for such leave if (1)it relates to work /service
already rendered and (2)if it is more likely than not to be settled with cash or other forms of compensation.The biggest
change from current practice is that the idea /concept of “vesting”is no longer relevant.A notable exception to the
recognition criteria is if the leave will be used to purchase service time /service credits in a defined benefit pension plan.
Applicable for December 31,2024.
Other Matters Currently Being Considered by GASB
–Financial reporting model re-examination
–Revenue and expense recognition
–Risks and uncertainties disclosures
–Severe financial stress evaluation and disclosures
ITEM #3Ai Page 16 of 18
16
Presentation of Annual
Audit Results
June 24, 2024
FREE QUARTERLY CONTINUING EDUCATION AND NEWSLETTERS
FOR GOVERNMENTAL CLIENTS
Free Continuing Education.We provide free quarterly continuing education for all of our governmental clients.Each quarter we
pick a couple of significant topics tailored to be of interest to governmental entities.In an effort to accommodate our entire
governmental client base,we offer the sessions several times per quarter at a variety of client provided locations resulting in
greater networking among our governmental clients.Examples of subjects addressed in the past few quarters include:
-ACFR Preparation -GASB Updates -Grant Accounting Processes and Controls -GASB 68 (Pensions)and 75 (OPEB)
-Internal controls over revenue and cash receipting and accounts payable,payroll,and cash disbursements
-American Rescue Plan (ARPA)information,issues and updates -Single audits for auditees
-Collateralization of Deposits and Investments -Internal Controls over Accounts Payable,Payroll and Controls
-Policies and Procedures Manuals -Segregation of Duties –GASB 87 (Leases)–GASB 96 (SBITAs)
-Data Security and General Information Technology Controls and Best Practices
Communication.In an effort to better communicate our free continuing education plans and newsletters,please email Paige
Vercoe at pvercoe@mjcpa.com (send corresponding copy to gdavis@mjcpa.com),and provide to her individual names,mailing
addresses,email addresses and phone numbers of anyone you wish to participate and be included in our database.
Comments & Other Matters (Continued)
ITEM #3Ai Page 17 of 18
17
Presentation of Annual
Audit Results
June 24, 2024
Comments and Questions?
We appreciate the opportunity to serve the City!
Conclusion
ITEM #3Ai Page 18 of 18