Tuesday, Jul. 13 2010 5:18PM

2008-09 audit finally presented to Greenwood

Miranda Wycoff, Journal Staff

It’s been almost a year since DSWA, a public accounting firm, began the city of Greenwood’s 2008-2009 audit. And at Monday’s board of aldermen meeting, the city finally saw it completed.

Cynthia Byous of DSWA presented the audit to the city Monday evening, almost eight months after the original due date.

But Mayor Marvin Megee said he isn’t faulting the company.

“It’s not fair to be critical of you when you had no idea of the mess you were looking into,” Megee said. Byous said problems with the audit essentially began from day one.

“We came into this audit gung ho,” Byous said. “But from day one, the (former) city clerk began dragging her feet. She did not want to be audited.”

In December, the auditing process revealed $50,000 was missing from the city’s funds. Former city clerk Tamara Woolford pleaded guilty to wire fraud last week.

“When we found the fraud, everything had to be put on hold,” Byous said.

Additionally, until two weeks ago, the city’s ongoing lawsuit with the quarry left some major holes in the audit. Those holes were filled when the city settled with the quarry in late June.

“Because of the settlement, that took away a big liability in your financial statements.” Byous told the board. But all in all, Byous said it is apparent the city is on the right track.

“Things are different now than they were when we first started,” she said.

After hiring Dana McIntire, the city’s financial specialist in April, the board is now getting monthly financial information. “To tell you the truth, it really doesn’t do a lot of good to dig back into the numbers,” Byous told the board. “It’s time to move on.”

“We’re really excited about a new year and a clean slate,” McIntire said.

To reach Journal reporter Miranda Wycoff, call 816-282-7017, or e-mail mwycoff@lsjournal.com