West Pelzer Town Council heard an audit report where they received an “unmodified opinion” or the best they can get, during their meeting Tuesday. Auditor Jason White, of Payne, White & Schmutz CPAs of Seneca, said that the town is in good financial shape.
The town’s total net position increased by $101,160 with revenues of approximately $1,369,100 exceeding expenses of $1,267,940.
The town’s combined ending fund balances amounted to $116,164, a decrease of $27,631 from the prior year. The unassigned fund balance is at $93,568, which is 19 percent of the total General Fund Expenditures. The GFOA recommended reserve is about two months or 16.7 percent of the budget.
The town’s total debt decreased by approximately $56,886 through regularly scheduled principal payments.
The town’s water and sewer fund showed a positive net of $98,576 due to revenues of $866,274 exceeding expenses of $780.856 and transfers of $13,158.
The audit report will be posted on the town website and is available at Town Hall.
Mayor Blake Sanders said he was pleased with the audit report which shows “the town is financially in good shape.”
“We continue to grow our general fund and continue to offer more services,” Sanders said.
Sanders said he wants to encourage more resident involvement and is doing that by offering more events and more chances to come out. One example is the upcoming Art Gallery display that will be held at town hall.
“We continue to save money every year,” the mayor said. “It shows our conservative principals are working for the town’s finanaces.”
In her report, Clerk Paula Payton announced that the planning commission will meet next Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. The Palmetto Business Association will meet Tuesday, Feb. 19 at Fiesta and the March 19 PBA meeting will be held at West Pelzer Town Hall.
Payton said town offices will be closed Feb. 18 for Presidents Day and trash service will move to Thursdays beginning this week.
The town has added two part-time public works employees, she said.
Council unanimously approved a change in their meeting time to 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month.
Mayor Blake Sanders said the town will present a “State of the Town” Address at the March 19 meeting of the Palmetto Business Association. Sanders said members of the Anderson County Delegation are expected to attend and he and others will present information on where the town is financially and plans for 2019. The Toast and Topics meeting will begin at 8 a.m.
The mayor also announced that the next meeting of council will be the first “Grand Gallery” with an art display on the walls. Artist Glenn Miller will have featured art and will speak at the meeting. Sanders said Town Hall will be transformed into an art gallery with five different artists having displays this year.
Sanders also announced that a “Centennial Celebration” will be held in West Pelzer from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 23. There will be food trucks, music and inflatable for kids, he said.
Mayor Sanders also said that he, Councilman Jim Riddle, Senator Mike Gambrell and House Rep. Anne Thayer met recently with SCDOT officials about slowing traffic on Main Street (Hwy. 8). It was suggested that the town resubmit a request to lower the speed limit to 25 mph. (See separate story)
Sanders said he painted 202 “Tiger Paws” for area residents following his offer after the Clemson Tigers won the National Football Championship.
“The response was great,” he said. “I did it because I love this town and the people. It was a lot of fun.”
Sanders said the first few he painted took about ten minutes each, but he quickly reduced the average time of actually painting to about three minutes.
