VCAD board still awaiting audit results

Nevada Daily Mail

During its Dec. 17, monthly board meeting the Vernon County Ambulance District confirmed it was still awaiting the results of an audit conducted by the district's accounting firm, DSWA, led by B.G. Wolfe C.P.A. In late October the accounting firm started an immediate review of the district's financial status.

The district is expected to engage the firm to conduct a thorough audit of the finances, management practices and information management practices of the district, which will be made available to the public when it is completed. Board vice-chairperson Chris Mason said DSWA has not updated the board on its progress, and any information pertaining to the audit is not expected to be released until it is 100 percent completed.

"This is our biggest hold up right now," Mason said. "We're waiting on the audit to be completed by BG Wolfe Associates so we can get the annual audit information and be able to come up with an accurate financial analysis."

Mason indicated the board is unable to move forward with different loan options it is considering until the audit is completed -- so VCAD can borrow against real estate property to settle a hefty debt with the IRS and the Missouri Department of Revenue.

Meanwhile, the original IRS tax-lien levied against VCAD did not include the second and third quarters of 2015 as well as several months not included by the Missouri Department of Revenue, according to Mason.

Mason said several board members are slated to discuss the tax lien with the IRS via a conference call in early January.

"This is really going to be the first time talking with the IRS to get specific numbers and options," Mason said. " We don't have asset numbers from the IRS and Missouri Department of Revenue as far as penalty amounts and interest due on withholdings not paid."

Heritage Bank credit line

VCAD has drawn $125,000 of a $150,000 Heritage Bank credit line. According to Mason, the $125,000 is for current expenses, payroll, state and federal withholdings, insurance payments for November and December. Mason said he could not verify whether VCAD will need to draw from the remaining $25,000. The amount drawn by VCAD has to be paid back to Heritage in full by Feb. 1. 2016.

CDL dispute

The board is disputing a bill from CDL Electric Inc. located in Pittsburg, Kan. According to Mason the company had previously done some work relating to the switch-out or installation of security cameras at the ambulance barn. Mason said all the wiring was done by VCAD in-house, yet CDL still charged VCAD for multiple hours of labor in relation to the wiring. During the regular monthly meeting, it was mentioned that VCAD had been in contact with CDL, but the issue had not been resolved.

According to a copy of CDL's bill estimate distributed at the meeting, CDL billed VCAD for a total of $3,790. The bill indicates that VCAD was billed for 26 hours of labor and five hours of drive time. However, it was not disclosed during the monthly meeting the exact amount VCAD is disputing.

Jeffries resigns from board

Longtime board member Nancy Jeffries, representing VCAD district four, has resigned her seat on the board effective immediately. Jeffries resigned after recently moving outside of her sub-district. Board members must reside within their district to remain on the board. Mason said the board is currently accepting applications for Jeffries vacated seat, and will unseal those applications at January's regular monthly meeting. The individual selected will fill Jeffries seat for the remainder of her term, which Mason believed expired in April of 2017. Mason did verify that the board was not obligated to fill Jeffries seat at the January meeting.