901 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Belleair, FL 33756

Town of Belleair

Meeting Minutes

Audit Committee

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

3:00 PM

Town Hall

Meeting was called to order at 3:02 PM with Commissioner Kelly presiding.

ROLL CALL

4 - Thomas Kelly, Tom Kurey, John Hail, and Kathleen Perrott

Present

Absent 1 - Kevin Piccarreto

CITIZENS COMMENTS

No comments

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

24-0216 Approval of August 28, 2024 Meeting Minutes

Mr. Kurey moved approval of the minutes. Seconded by Mr. Perrott.

Aye: 4 - Kelly, Kurey, Hail, and Perrott

Absent: 1 - Piccarreto

GENERAL AGENDA

24-0218

Review and Recommend Proposals for Professional Auditing Services (RFP

2024-100)

Ashley Bernal-Assistant Town Manager-announced item.

Nanette Freeman-Interim Finance and Human Recourse Director-provided

background; proposals provided to board; Aclarian here to answer questions;

introduced Michelle Mimms, new Finance Manager; all available for questions.

Mr. Kurey questioned who from bidders is in attendance; one firm present.

Ms. Schumacher-James Moore representative-here for questions.

Commissioner Kelly questioned location; Ms. Schumacher addressed locations of team

members; spoke on firm's experience; dedicated government sector team; other

municipalities as clients.

Mr. Kurey stated one bid is prohibited; between CS&L and James Moore; if firms are

qualified, bias is toward lower amounts.

Commissioner Kelly stated lowest cost prevails, however one firm sent a representative.

Mr. Kurey spoke on responsive of other bids, documents provided.

Ms. Freeman spoke on research; James Moore designates a dedicated team and a 24

hour response; relationship with Aclarian, services utilized; familiarity.

Andrew Laflin-Aclarian-spoke on current services with Belleair; Florida statutes dictates

how auditor selection occurs; cannot be based solely on the cheapest rate; suggests

looking at clients of firms, peer municipalities; ability to have consultative discussions on

items such as FEMA; not here to make a recommendation, can only speak to positive

interactions with James Moore.

Mr. Kurey questioned if any knowledge of CS&L; Mr. Laflin stated they have Florida

experience, but not too familiar them; price is comparable, not a significant difference;

familiar with James Moore as they are the audit firm for another municipality Aclarian

does business with.

Ms. Perrott spoke to James Moore's experience with municipalities that do utilities;

spoke to retention of firm's staff; continuity and ability to work with same individuals; firm

has experience with a number of municipalities; supportive of James Moore.

Mr. Laflin spoke to his experience at Madeira Beach with James Moore; pleased with

firm.

Commissioner Kelly questioned previous amount; Ms. Freeman addressed.

Ms. Perrott commented on past firm.

Ms. Schumacher spoke on test of controls needed on front end; spoke to continuity and

knowledge of firm; addressed question regarding ability to do fully remote if desired.

Ms. Perrott questioned travel expenses; Ms. Schumacher addressed.

Mr. Kurey would rather pay less, however both firms are qualified; if staff is more

comfortable with one firm over the other; questioned if able to negotiate; Ms.

Schumacher will check.

Mr. Laflin explained able to request a best and final offer from top ranked firm.

Board discussion on Commission awarding contract, committee is recommendation.

Ms. Schumacher spoke with main partner with the firm; willing to drop the annual fees

and adjusting.

Mr. Kurey move that we recommend James Moore for our annual audit. Seconded by Mr.

Perrott.

4 - Kelly, Kurey, Hail, and Perrott

1 - Piccarreto

Aye:

Absent:

OTHER BUSINESS

No other business.

ADJOURNMENT

No other business; meeting adjourned in due form at 3:28 PM.