By Sabrina Simms

VIDALIA — The Town of Vidalia received a “good report” from its independent auditors for fiscal year 2017. The audit was presented at Tuesday night’s regular meeting of the mayor and board of aldermen.

The auditor’s report presented by Wes Gore, from Natchez accounting firm Silas Simmons LLP, showed three minor findings.  Gore said the town showed progress compared to the previous year’s five findings.

“Our, opinion of your financial statements as they are presented … are … what we refer to as an unmodified report, a good report,” Gore said.

“In what I’ve seen in some other governments, I would say your number of findings, as far as the seriousness of those findings we reported, looks like you have everything headed in the right direction.”

Gore’s comments were met with applause from the mayor, board of aldermen and others in attendance  Tuesday night.

Gore said the first of the three findings applies to town’s general fund budget. He said a capital release of funds had not been properly reported in the financing arrangement for a fire truck.

Gore said the second finding resulted from missed meetings during the transition between mayoral administrations. Gore said the two missed public meetings involving the town’s hydro fund were later conducted during the fiscal year and, as a result, were considered resolved.

“For findings one and two, I will be able to say next year the findings are satisfied,” Gore said.

Gore said the third finding was not a fault of the city. Gore said his report indicates the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office issued its report in January 2018, as requested by the Town of Vidalia following the change in administration on July 1, 2016, but the state auditor’s final report has not yet been delivered.