Woodruff City Council's Monday meeting brought a succesful audit report.
Mike Downing of Green, Finney & Horton, CPA conducted the audit and said the city was in a healthy financial standing, with the general fund containing $949,000 at the close of fiscal year 2006-07.
Every city should have an adequate balance in their general fund to have on hand in case of emergencies, planned expenditures or if any short-term issues arise, Downing said.
The sewer fund was also in good standing, with an operating balance of $70,000 and net assets estimated at $2.54 million, the audit reported.
City Manager Scott Slatton, however, said these balances weren't evidence of the sewer funds ability to handle future sewer issues.
"Revenues are sufficient to cover operating expenses, but rates are not enough to tackle the problems of the coming years," Slatton said.
The audit also revealed bank reconciliations not being prepared properly, the improper recording of transactions relating to federal grants and ineffective reviews of the monitoring process, all of which were being addressed by Slatton, Downing said.
In other items, council chose Simpson & Partners as its marketing firm of choice. The city has been working towards publicizing itself to attract more residents and tourism traffic. The council allotted $50,000 towards the marketing effort.
Along with the marketing thrust has come Mayor Paul Bell's desire to improve the city's overall aesthetic presentation. He suggested the council instruct the planning commission to conduct a study on the appearance of the downtown buildings and create a list of recommended standards.
Councilman William "Buddy" Arnold agreed with the suggestion.
"It's time we utilize our Planning Commission," Arnold said. "Over the last three years I've been on council, we haven't done that yet. I think its about time to get them active."
Members of the commission were not present Monday.
Towards the close of the meeting, council approved the first reading of an ordinance that will allow the city to sell a piece of property to Duke Energy for $1,800.
The land, located off of East Peachtree Street and Perrin Avenue, near Abney Mill subdivision in a swampy region, is approximately 1/400th of an acre.
Duke Energy requested the right-of-way on the land to add power lines.