Sharpsburg officials are seeking a Pittsburgh nonprofit’s help in reviewing borough finances.
Council on April 28 authorized an application to the Local Government Academy for a financial health assessment.
A finance expert would spend between six to 10 months reviewing records, examining trends and make recommendations on how to modernize fiscal practices, according to LGA Executive Director Joy Ruff.
“We have a very focused scope of work that does a three-year historic scan, a three-year trend analysis,” Ruff said. “We identify improvements that need to be made in terms of financial documentation management, fiscal protocols. It builds capacity locally because we require the community to have an established financial committee that works with our consultant.”
She said one goal is to increase efficiency. Any potential problems are investigated thoroughly.
It is a grant-funded program paid for though the state Department of Community and Economic Development via the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services.
Ruff said the analysis could cost about $10,000, but can be customized to a municipality’s needs.
The opportunity for a LGA financial review came to council’s attention from Interim Borough Manager Jason Dailey.
“Sharpsburg has undergone many changes over the years that have had an impact on the financial condition of the borough,” Dailey said. “For instance, the borough used to bill for its own water and sewer rates. That is now under the control of Hampton Shaler Water Authority. That migration of that utility out from the borough’s control, also changed the way that the overall financial picture looks today.
“The Local Government Academy has a proven record of providing resources to communities all across Western Pennsylvania and the region to promote excellence and sustainability among local governments. The LGA financial assessment will be a good tool the borough will be able to use to see how it has performed over the last few years and what opportunities and challenges it may face in the coming years.”
This is the second year for LGA’s financial health assessment program. It was piloted in Glassport last year.
Sharpsburg’s analysis could start by the end of May or in early June with a report filed by the end of December at the earliest or in March at the latest.
Councilman Jonathan Jaso said it will be great to have another set of eyes looking over borough records.
“It’s a program to get assess our finances,” Jaso said. “We are audited every year, and I’m not worried about that. I love having an extra set of eyes on this. Transparency is paramount. I have reviewed the budget and monthly statements for a few years, and sometimes I can’t make sense out of all the line items. I am hoping that they can simplify this for councils going forward.”
Established in 1983, the Local Government Academy provides educational and technical assistance programs to municipalities in Western Pennsylvania.
It is headquartered in Pittsburgh’s North Side.
