The Poplar Bluff City Council voted to keep property taxes consistent Thursday evening. Members proposed no changes during the council’s public hearing. The council also received the results of the city’s audit for the fiscal year 2023.
Jeff Stroder, the accountant performing the audit, said there were three reports. The first report concerned a simple examination of the city’s financials.
He stated, “Our opinion is that the financial statements of the city’s funds present fairly in all material respects.”
Stroder clarified this is a clean, unmodified opinion. The second report dealt with the city’s internal controls.
“We found no instances of deficiencies,” Stroder said.
However, he cautioned the city to stay within budgetary limits and amend the budget when needed, especially when new grant money or revenue comes in. The last report was required by the government for every entity that received over $750,000 worth of federal funds.
Stroder reported the city received $2.1 million from COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act funds.
“That was our area of focus,” he told the council.
While he found no misuse, Stroder said the city did not put adequate controls in place to vet businesses that received the funds. He said the businesses selected needed to be checked against a database of companies banned from conducting business with the federal government.
Stroder clarified none of the recipients were banned, but advised the city to vet properly in the future.
“I appreciate you and your staff. You do a very thorough job,” City Manager Matt Winters said.
In other business, City Planner James Sisk presented on a grant received by the Animal Control Department from the Best Friends Animal Society and Southeast Missouri Pets. The grant would pay for the shelter to shut down its gas chamber and have a veterinarian in Cape Girardeau humanely put down animals instead.
“We are the only facility using a gas chamber for euthanization,” Sisk informed, “We’ve been asked multiple times to do away with that.”
He said the only burden on the city is to transport the animals to Cape Girardeau.
“They’re offering a way for us to take care of it for at least the next year,” Sisk said.
The council approved the measure unanimously. Winters also requested a budget amendment due to the city receiving $141,452 from a class action lawsuit as part of the National Opioid Settlement Agreement. He said the funds can only be used for combating opioid addiction.
Members approved the amendment. Other discussion items included the application of Corretta Bishop to the Arts and Museum Advisory Board. Winters said Steve Woodworth recommended approval.
The council also discussed a request from the Electrical Wiring Board to amend definitions and time requirements to match state requirements.
Members voted to approve the following measures:
• Making no changes to the city property tax rate
• Appointing Stefanie Tinsley to the Park Board
• Scheduling a public hearing about the annexation of 123 Market Lane to the city Sept. 24 at 6:45 p.m.
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