Mr. Ahl addresses residents (updated)

Acting City Manager Chuck Ahl has posted an open letter to residents on the city website. In it he addresses the financial status of the city.

[Update 3/3 9:45AM]

My reading of Mr. Ahl's key points:

• He does not suspect any wrongdoing nor does he expect to find any evidence of any.
• The problems with bookkeeping processes that occurred while the Finance Department was severely understaffed have been largely resolved, in part due to training recently conducted by former Assistant Finance Director Bauman. (This letter does not mention the Finance Department staffing additions Mr. Ahl had previously reported at a council meeting. It seems having enough people to do the work should help.)
  
• Budget-to-actual expense monitoring has been restored.
• The $310,000 surplus reported in December 2007 has been adjusted to be a $40,000 deficit. This $350,000 swing can be absorbed by an overall 2% budget reduction and improved performance by the Community Center and Recreation programs.
• The Pioneer Press article explored who was to blame. Mr. Ahl is focused on implementing processes that will correct the problems, processes for which department heads are accountable.

Comment: This frank and open communication to residents is helpful and appreciated. Stephan