FERRIDAY, La. &045; A draft of the town’s audit for the fiscal year ending June 30 shows a general fund deficit and water and sewer funds that spent $230,000 more than they took in, including depreciation.

In addition, it shows the town ending the fiscal year with a cash balance of $740,000 &045; almost $400,000 less than its balance at the start of the year.

The good news, Mayor Gene Allen said in Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, is that the town now has balances in all its funds and has paid all but $60,000 to $70,000 of its outstanding bills.

&uot;We’re still working out some discrepancies on some bills&uot; but should be current soon, Allen said. Meanwhile, he added, &uot;we’re working hard to try to save money in every aspect we can.&uot;

Accountant Jeri Sue Tosspon, who performed the audit, presented several findings, included:

4Some presigned checks. In their response to that finding, town officials said checks will now be stamped as required by law.

4The town did not keep track of customers’ water deposits in a separate ledger, something town officials said has since been corrected.

4The town spent 6.8 percent more than it budgeted for. The law requires towns’ expenditures to vary from their budgets no more than 5 percent.

Town officials said they are keeping closer track of expenditures through more detailed purchase orders and department supervisor meetings.

4The amount of money the town is required by its bond covenants to put up each month to pay its water and sewer bonds wasn’t set aside each month.

Tosspon told the council to pay close attention to the last item, setting aside the required amount of money every month &uot;so you’ll be able to pay those bonds when the time comes.&uot;

She encouraged town officials to look at ways to better collect revenues owed by water and sewer customers and to cut expenses in those departments.

As far as the findings of past audits are concerned, Tosspon said the town is working to replace broken water meters.

She also said the town has improved the division of duties among its staff, allowing for better checks and balances of what each employee is doing.

The council voted to approve management’s responses to the audit.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the council:

4Discussed allowing Ferriday High School’s athletic department to pay in monthly installments past-due water bills the town clerk said show amounts &uot;in the thousands&uot; of dollars.

Allen said that, to be fair, the town should allow other customers who are in arrears to pay their bills in monthly installments, too.

&uot;But you shouldn’t let them go on (in arrears) forever,&uot; Town Attorney Derrick Carson said.

4Accepted a $122,473 bid from J&K Contractors for sidewalk improvements to be paid for with a government grant.

4Tabled an agreement with the Concordia Parish Police Jury for the parish jail to house Ferriday’s prisoners until the agreement’s terms can be clarified.

4Authorized Allen to negotiate with lending institutions the renewal of a $150,000 note the town originally took out in June.

4Accepted a $5,582 bid from Cecil Gassiott to change out valves at the town’s water tower.