(A) (1) For the purpose of this division (A), the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACCOUNTANT. A duly licensed public accountant or certified public accountant who otherwise is not an employee of or connected in any way with the village.
ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT. The written report of the accountant and all appended statements and schedules relating thereto presenting or recording the findings of an examination or audit of the financial transactions, affairs or financial condition of the village and its proprietary functions for the fiscal year immediately prior to the making of such annual report.
FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year for the village or the fiscal year established in Neb. RS 18-2804 for a proprietary function if different than the municipal fiscal year.
(2) The Board of Trustees shall cause an audit of the village’s accounts to be made by a recognized independent and qualified accountant as expeditiously as possible following the close of the fiscal year and to cover all financial transactions and affairs of the village for such preceding fiscal year. Such audit shall be made on a cash or accrual method at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. Such audit shall be completed and the annual audit report made by such accountant shall be submitted within six months after the close of the fiscal year in any event, unless an extension of time is granted by a written resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may request a waiver of the audit requirement subject to the requirements of Neb. RS 84-304. If the village is required to conduct an audit under Neb. RS 84-304 and owns or operates any type of public utility or other enterprise which substantially generates its own revenue, the Board of Trustees shall have that phase of the village’s affairs reported separately from the other functions of the village. The result of such audit shall appear separately in the annual audit report made by the accountant to the village, and the audit shall be on a cash or accrual basis at the discretion of the Board of Trustees.
(3) The annual audit report shall set forth, insofar as possible, the financial position and results of financial operations for each fund or group of accounts of the village. When the accrual method is selected for the annual audit report, such report shall be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The annual audit report shall also include the professional opinion of the accountant with respect to the financial statements, or, if an opinion cannot be expressed, a declaration that the accountant is unable to express such an opinion with an explanation of the reasons why he or she cannot do so.
(4) At least three copies of such annual audit report shall be properly signed and attested by the accountant; two copies shall be filed with the Village Clerk and one copy shall be filed with the Auditor of Public Accounts. The annual audit report filed, together with any accompanying comment or explanation, shall become a part of the public records of the Village Clerk and shall at all times thereafter be open and subject to public inspection.
(B) The Board of Trustees shall provide and file with the Village Clerk, not later than August 1 of each year, financial statements showing the village’s actual and budgeted figures for the most recently completed fiscal year.
(1997 Code, § 1-815) (Ord. 174, passed 9-11-1984; Ord. 07-03, passed 3-11-2003)
Statutory reference:
Related provisions, see Neb. RS 13-606, 19-2902, 19-2903, 19-2904, 19-2905