Burlington business group promises auditing issues caused by bad luck
Published May 13, 2022 at 11:02 am
The executive director of the Aldershot Village BIA wants to assure local members that everything is getting back on track with the organization.
Judy Worsley said they didn’t realize their was an issue with the 2021 audited budget they submitted to the City’s finance department until after they heard back from them. And they were ill-prepared to deal with that.
“We’d lost two treasurers/accountants during the pandemic,” Worsley said. “The first left to deal with family matters and the second lost her business a few months before this issue came up.”
So, when the City’s audit committee asked some questions about the paperwork, there was no one around to answer.
“This whole ordeal has made us realize we lacked some expertise,” said Worsley.
“We started in 2004 as a small, grassroots organization and we’ve grown beyond that. We need to work with the City to develop financial policies and procedures. We’re cleaning house and making sure we do things the right way.”
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“No money has been lost. We just need to ensure everything is properly accounted for. We’re in the process of hiring a new accountant.”
Morsley said the City has already started the process of looking at the BIA’s books and at first blush, they seem pleased. She is confident everything will be approved by the May 31 deadline.
The Aldershot Village Business Improvement Area is funded by a levy added to property owners, collected by the city, and handed over. Last year, the group was given $240,000 to operate.
In addition, the group applies for grants for special projects and seeks out sponsorships.
The next big project on the AVBIA’s calendar is the kickoff of the annual Farmers’ Market, which will be held alternate Tuesdays at Whiteoaks Plaza, 195 Plains Rd. E. from 3 to 7 p.m. starting May 24.
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