Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-05-11
AUDITORS REPORT SHOWS FINANCIAL CONDITION
OF CITY; FLOATING DEBT $144,08s33 ON JAN 1ST.
Uncolleoted Taxes OF $7O7391o Since 1914 Re
corded, Which Had Not Been Fl Fa d-Dehcit
Increased $5 ,OO6.58 In 3 IL Years, Largely.
Through Errors In Financing


date of the. audit a net balance of
$312.63.
That this amount might be increas-
ed or decreased by notifications be-
ing sent cut, was the statement made
in the report. In the total charged
to Mr.. Eldrige, says the report, was
an item Of $G96.88 covering a diff
ference in cash passing between the
water department and the clerk and
treasurer. No receipt is held by the
water department and it is stated
neither the clerk and treasurer nor
water superintendent are certain of
the amount, leaving the auditors in
doubt whether the item should be
charged to Mr. Eldridge or not.
Records Chaotic.
Regarding the records, the audit
says:
"Ihe exhibits set forth the status
of the city as of December 81, 1921,
as correctly as it could be ascertain
ed from the records in the chaotia
condition we found them"
And elsewhere: while the de-
FloIable condition of the city records
did not permit of a complete and
thorough check of all individual
trS-a- actions, our examination dis
cid numerous errors of omission
and commission, which were taken up
in detail with your honorable board,
who instructed us to incorporate the
adjustments on the records. Very
few if any vouchers were properly
approved, nor did they contain suf-
ticient data to substantiate their pay
ment; therefore our examination of
same became perfunctory operation
The major portion of the disburse-
ments were made in cash, and in most
instances where check was used it
was made payable to a bank holding
several city vouchers issued to VEN
doris. The city records did not dis
close the identity of the payee, nor
were the banks able to furnish this
information; therefore it was prac-
tically impossible to trace the origin
Of these payments. In other instances
receipts We're given on account of
taxes and miscellaneous revenues in
lieu of the cancelling of claims
against the city, all such transactions
appearing as cash book entry, if re-
corded at ALL"
$4,000 Old Accounts
Regarding the item of accounts
payable, the report shows that $19,-
600 of it consists of sundry accounts
for which no vouchers were found,
the statements being obtained by Veri-
tication notices sent to creditors, the
accounts having accrued over long
period, Some of these accounts,
therefore, are probably chargeable to
previous years.
The item in liabilities, "Reserye for
tax adjustment, $15, 5,294:17," is ex-
planned as follows:
due to the change in the termina-
ton of the fiscal year from June 30,
1921, to December 81, 1921, it would
appear that the city government has
levied q tax of FIVE mills for six
months general government expenses,
whereas>the law allows them only five
mills per annum. This reserve sets
aside fifty per cent of the proportion
of the 1920 tax levy for general gov
ernment purposes and should be ap-
piled to reduce future taxation"
The report explains that the bond
ed debt listed at 1929, 900 does not
include $4,000 public building and
Improvement bonds redeemed by the
Bank of Commerce and held by them
as collateral for a loan of equal
amount, which draws 8 per cent in
terest."
Several members of the city council
have indicated their purpose to vote
to have published all portions of the
auditors report that will be informa-
tive to the taxpayers.
FULTON'S SCHOOL BONDS
FAIL; TOO FEW VOTE