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The BID will choose which forensics audit proposal and figure out how to pay for it.
The city cannot make a decision on which proposal to be chosen because the city is not likely to pay for it, at least as stated in the move by Alderperson Howell, which received a second. Alderperson Fesenmaier disagreed and said that the BID did not hire the city employees who signed the checks which is where the situation occurred and they should take responsibility for it.

Alderperson Halverson gave his opinion also.  He indicated that the BID may not have been in charge of the check signings and further investigation should happen before the BID is left with the bill. The city does not have direct control of the BID, just like it does not have control of the library. Those operations are separate entities, and all the city does is write the checks for the submitted invoices from that account, and the BID should be responsible. The city comptroller updated the committee, letting it know that the BID is under budget but has Oktoberfest bills and holiday bills coming up to be paid.

Karen, the comptroller, wants to stay out of the fray for obvious reasons and realizes that her department is being ridiculed in regards to the previous BID’s overspending and late payment record. Karen felt it necessary to remind the city officials and the public that she was actually the whistleblower on the BIDs finances and did bring it to the BID’s attention.  How they operated was not how finances should be handled. Again, reinforcing the fact that the city does not approve the BIDs invoices, although the city administrator was told of the overspending immediately by the comptroller, and several meetings were conducted with the BID about it.

Is this a simple case of overspending and pushing payments into the next year is there something worse to be revealed? That certainly could be could, however, the comptroller reassures everyone that the numbers all add up and there is no sign of missing money and fraud that has become known to her.  Chairman Howell had to reign in the meeting as the conducting of the audit wasn’t on the agenda. The agenda item dealt with what to do with the proposals for the audit. Not every committee member agrees with the simplicity of his making of the explanation and believes the city is more involved than meets the eye. Non the less the proposals were sent off to the city council for final approval before they likely send it to the BID for a decision.

Persons of the Week

Jessica, the fun-loving waitress, and Chad, the wonderful owner of the Next Door Pub and Pizzeria! Always good food and good people.