Auditor: Pine Prairie’s finances in great shape

By: HEATHER BOGARD
Lifestyles Editor

PINE PRAIRIE - CPA Shirley Vige with Vige, Tujague and Noel presented the findings of the 2014 fiscal year end audit to Mayor Terry Savant and the members of the Pine Prairie Village Council during the monthly meeting held Thursday, June 11.
As he presented his findings, Vige acknowledged that the village’s finances were in great shape and briefly ran through the two-page summary at the back of the audit report. Vige noted that the ad valorem tax/cash receivables will fluctuate, depending on when the village receives the December payment. He said the village’s total liabilities remained “pretty much the same.” Vige note the village received a $237,000 increase in fine revenues for 2014, and that the police/safety fund also showed an increase of $130,000, adding to the village’s bottom line. In summary, Vige noted the village was in “pretty good shape with over $800,000 in funds not committed to anything.”
Council members also adopted a resolution regarding water pollution prevention. The council receives an annual environmental audit on the quality of the village’s wastewater system and strives to maintain a high level of environmental quality related to wastewater treatment throughout the village.
In a related motion, council members also adopted a groundwater protection ordinance, under which a critical area surrounding each well is established in order to help maintain the quality of water and protecting village water from contamination.
In other business, the council:
•Adopted the Ville Platte Gazette as the village’s official municipal journal.
•Approved the minutes of the May 14, regular meeting.
•Approved the payment of monthly expenditures.