MANCHESTER – The township’s financial staff received some accolades during recent council meetings with the news that its 2023 audit came back from the state with an “unmodified opinion.”
Township Auditor Andy Zabiega told the Council and audience present that this was “the best opinion that can be issued with an audit. That simply means that there were no material findings in our sampling of the township’s fiscal records. It is a shame that (Township Chief Financial Officer) Diane Lapp couldn’t be here tonight because I’m happy to say that the last page of the audit that there were no findings or recommendations this year.”
“This is the first time in about 20 years that that we have no comments or findings. I know the governing body takes it seriously that any prior year findings are addressed properly. The department heads take it seriously. Diane and her office really take it seriously,” Zabiega added. “The lack of findings and recommendations speaks for itself. It is a good thing.”
Mayor Robert Arace and the members of Council thanked Lapp and her team for their diligence, and expressed their gratitude for the outstanding efforts they put forth in service to the township.
The auditor noted that the purpose of the municipal audit is “to form an opinion on your financial statements as presented to us and I am happy to say that based on a review of your records we issued an unmodified opinion. The audit involves a review of each department’s revenue and their transactions including payroll and vouchers. We try to look at every aspect of the township.”
Lapp did attend the next council meeting of the month and noted some news concerning her office. “Every year the state requires we complete a survey. Some of the survey is scored and that determines if we will lose any financial aid. We have to get a minimal score of 35 or 32 and our total score was 42,” she added.
Lapp noted, “there was 69 questions and about 30% of them were unscored. They were doing a survey and one was on affordable housing and the rules on that. Another section was on lead remediation. These are things I’m not familiar with so I sent them out to our affordable housing staff and building department and they were able to complete those parts of the survey for me.”
She said the core questions were things “based on our budget, based on our audit our efficiencies and things like that. It will be on our website.”
“Thank you guys, great job,” Council President Roxy Conniff said.
During that meeting the Council unanimously approved on second reading an ordinance prohibiting new irrigation meters for its Eastern and Western water and sewage utilities and another ordinance amending township code governing legalized raffle and bingo licenses.
The Council introduced Ordinances 24-40 and 24-41. The first concerned amending various sections of township code while the second involved amending township code regarding ‘Rent Leveling’ to provide greater clarity and transparency for landlords seeking to increase rent over the amount of the cap set by the Rent Leveling Board that was established last year. The second reading and public hearing of those ordinances will be held at the Council’s November 12 meeting.
The governing body also commended the Manchester Township High School Football team for their recent victory that led to hosting their first state playoff game on November 1.
