IN YOUR CORNER

 

The Internal Audit Planning & Review Committee of the Martin County

School District met on Thursday, August 22, 2002.  This meeting was to

review the Internal Funds Procedures Manual that had recently been

completed to help school staff adhere to district policy in handling

funds that are collected and expended at the various schools.

 

The Internal Auditor prepared the manual by pulling together the best

parts of manuals prepared by other counties and cross checking their

references to state statutes.  The end result was a well-prepared manual

that was easy for even non-accountants to follow.  This manual is

comprehensive and the committee was satisfied that it would prevent

future concerns regarding poor accounting practices.

 

Broward County paid $30,000 to have their Manual prepared.  The author

of their report offered to prepare Martin County's for $10,000 (by

simply changing the name and making a copy).  The school administration

opted to have our manual prepared internally, not only saving the

taxpayers money, but resulting in a very professional, user-friendly end

product.

 

The Taxpayer's Association can be proud that it endorsed the decisions

made by our county and our school board to hire internal auditors.  Both

employees have helped with audits and procedures that have saved many

taxpayer dollars, and they have been very helpful to each administration

in fortifying procedures to guarantee proper use of taxpayer funds.

 

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It seems that, in every election year, we voters are confronted with a

vast number of amendments to the Florida Constitutional, ranging in

issues from local home rule amendments to the treatment of pregnant

pigs. These amendments often mandate large expenditures of tax dollars.

This current election cycle find 11 amendments. One of these amendments

could provide very useful information to voters in determining the

appropriateness of future proposed amendments. This is Amendment #2 on

the ballot which would require that an economic impact statement be

provided for any amendments proposed to the Florida Constitution or

revisions of existing amendments. We urge you to vote in favor of this

amendment.

 

**

 

The MCTA routinely receives requests to endorse or recommend candidates

in local elections. The policy of this board is to work with all elected

officials to ensure economy and efficiency in their operations.

Participating in the process which selects those officials is beyond the

scope of the mission for this organization. However, it is imperative

that all taxpayers scrutinize each

candidate and select those who most closely represent his or her

philosophy of government and taxing. Successful candidates should

represent the majority of the local population, not simply those who

voted! Be sure to vote during the primary election on September 10, when

many of the local races will be decided.