Shafter finances clean, annual audit shows

The Shafter City Council listened to the annual financial report for the fiscal year of 2023 at its meeting Tuesday night..

Christian Townes, CPA partner with LSL, Inc., gave a report on their audit of the city finances. Townes said that the company performed detailed testing of account balances and transactions. The results of the audit said that the city's financial statements were accurate and reliable for the year ending June 30, 2023.

They identified no fraud, waste or abuse during the fiscal year.

One financial highlight of the year was an increase in the city's net position of $8.8 million, bringing the total to $216.7 million.

Capital assets for the city increased by $4 million, with the city stable in its financial position, with a high level of credit worthiness and one of the most financially strong cities in the county.

The council voted unanimously to accept the report.

In other action, the council approved a $90,000 contract with Ordiz-Melby Architects, Inc. for the design of the new Aquatic Center modular building to replace the existing building. It will include restrooms, a concession stand, lockers and offices.

The council also approved a $50,000 contract with Kroeker, Inc. for the demolition of the existing Aquatic Center building.

The project, from design to construction, is expecting to take about 12 to 14 months.