Auditor: Mapleton's books in good shape

The township’s books are in good shape and residents pay their taxes promptly, the municipality’s auditors told council on July 8.

Matt Venne of Robinson, Lott and Brohman Chartered Accountants provided council with the annual auditor’s report at the meeting. He noted the municipality’s cash position is slightly distorted by a $1.5- million insurance payment set aside for rebuilding of the township’s main public works shop, which burned down in December.

“When you come down to bottom line, if you account for two factors, it’s basically bang on,” Venne explained, noting funds set aside to be spent on capital projects later this year are also inflating the municipality’s cash position.

“We’re quite comfortable that when you adjust for accrual changes, that your numbers are reasonably good this year,” said Venne.

He also noted the municipality has a much higher percentage of taxes collected than most other municipalities with which the firm works.

“You’re actually the best News story that we’ve had so far,” he pointed out. “Your staff’s been working hard and people have been paying.”

Venne told council that, “Overall you’re accomplishing your goals and you’re meeting your budget.”

“Hopefully we can have similar figures for 2014,” said Mayor Bruce Whale.