I've listened to the tape of the March 19th WPA board meeting. I'm not going to transcribe every word of each report. I'm reporting what I heard to the best of my ability. Please listen to the tape yourself.
Treasurer, DeMarchi gives the report. He says he has updated the accounting function description to the policy manual, provided it to the board for review and comment, but received very little in a timely manner. He has spoken to one individual who is a trainer in Quick Books, so she could also do the accounting, and help train our staff person in any area she needs help in. There is a two year experience requirement and the individual must sign a confidentiality agreement. If anyone knows of anyone who would be interested in talking about the accounting function, they should contact DeMarchi. Some things will have to be defined, but it will be something like 4 hours a week. They will go over things, reconciling things, and making sure things are right, along with filing taxes. DeMarchi says that's the end of the report.
Mc Bride says he had given a response to the description. DeMarchi says it wasn't in a timely manner.
Mc Bride says he thought the board decided to use a firm to do our accounting. He goes on to say we need a CPA with the clerical backup of a firm to send out annual assessments, send out monthly penalty notices, and keep track of the $20 late fees as they are collected.
Garrison says he doesn't recall that the board agreed.
DeMarchi jumps in and says it was one person on the board.
Garrison says he doesn't agree that CPA needs to be added as a qualification. He goes on to say what DeMarchi has is fine.
DeMarchi says McBride provided his information just prior to the board meeting.
McBride says he is proud of his response.
DeMarchi tells him to "pat himself on the back".
Someone on the board says to settle down.
President Walton gives information that it was submitted last week, placed in the board members boxes for a response, prior to the meeting.
Garrison says this is an addition to the policy manual and this should be first reading.
COMMENTS:
For a minute we will go to the last statement, Garrison's statement. How can this be first reading? No one READ the job description to us. Additionally, when a change is being suggested as first reading, it is suppose to be posted on the website so residents can review and comment. Can anyone find it on the website?
Next, just stop for another minute and consider the fact that when McBride says he thought the board discussed having a CPA, that NONE of us were allowed to be present. YOUR BOARD HELD THESE DISCUSSIONS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS! Why? What is so confidential that you can't observe your board in discussions about who, how, what, when, and what a job description, would look like? We live with the ramifications of their "no good substantial reason for", closed meetings. How do they get away with it? You let them. Remember DeMarchi, McMillin, Cline, and McBride signed pledges to hold open meetings! The only one that is "held harmless" is McBride because he fights an up hill battle with this group. The rest have just lied. What are they afraid of? Why couldn't they have discussed this "accounting function" during an open session? Possibly, because they didn't want you to witness the glimpse you got of their bad behavior at this meeting! In general, you don't have to hide what you are proud of.
McBride's questions and comments are like someone crying out in the dark as far as this board is concerned. He doesn't have a chance to be heard. Remember 3 present and past treasurer's sit at the board table - McMillin, Cline, and now DeMarchi. We've had four treasurers in about 2 years. They all have changed reporting formats, changed who is performing the "accounting function", and kept the financial ball whirling and trilling, with their views of how to account for our money. McMillin removed the requirement for a CPA. This entire board frustrated, tied the hands of the management company, until they quit. . The management company had performed the accounting function for a short period of time. At the same time, your board instructed them to send assessment notifications with a due date of Jan. 31, then instructed them not to send late notices until March. They don't want the professional involvement of a CPA, who would demand good, standard accounting practices. They want to control.
We need the CONSISTENTCY and the COMPETENCY of a good CPA firm.
