Summary
The Northport Village Council held a Special Meeting on March 7, 2025, presided over by President Pro Tempore Cook due to the absence of President McCann. The Council received a presentation of the 2023-24 sixteen-month financial audit from UHY, which found the village's financial statements to be materially correct with an unmodified (clean) opinion. The Council also conducted second-round interviews with two Village Manager candidates, Douglas Dorando and Jered Ottenwess, but could not take action due to lack of a quorum. The meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m.
Public Comments
No public comments were made during either public comment period of the meeting. The document notes that several citizens attended the meeting, but no specific comments, concerns, or written submissions were recorded.
Other Business
The Council conducted second interviews with Village Manager candidates Douglas Dorando and Jered Ottenwess, both participating via Zoom. Questions covered background and experience, management and communication style, job expectations, community engagement, availability, and personal growth. No discussion or decision followed the interviews due to a lack of quorum; the minutes note that a special meeting may be called for the Council to take action on the appointment.
Financial Summary
- UHY presented the audit for the 16-month period from March 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, which received an unmodified (clean) opinion.
- The audit process was complicated by merging a 12-month ledger with a 4-month ledger, including a $26,000 discrepancy in sewer special assessments that needs to be resolved with Leelanau Township.
- The General Fund saw a slight decrease but remains stable.
- The Major Street Fund maintains a healthy balance.
- The Water Fund requires rate increases to strengthen its financial position.
- The Marina Fund improved its net position despite project expenses.
- Auditors recommended reconciling the sewer assessment balance with Leelanau Township, implementing investment and ACH payment policies, exploring higher-interest cash holdings, consolidating the fireworks fund with the general fund, and improving segregation of duties for financial oversight.
- The audit concluded that the village's overall financial condition remains solid.
Action Items
- Resolve the $26,000 sewer special assessment discrepancy with Leelanau Township through payment or clarification.
- Implement investment and ACH payment policies as recommended by the auditors.
- Explore higher-interest cash holding options for village funds.
- Consolidate the fireworks fund with the general fund.
- Improve segregation of duties to strengthen financial oversight.
- Consider rate increases for the Water Fund to improve its financial position.
- A special meeting may be called to allow the Council to take action on the Village Manager candidate selection, since no decision was possible on March 7 due to lack of quorum.