Sep 2, 2010 By Joyce Koballa 2 min read

BULLSKIN TWP. – The accounting firm for the Bullskin Township/Connellsville Township Joint Sewerage Authoruty provided good news Wednesday, noting that there were no major problems identified in the audit for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2009. Leo Rudnik, certified public accountant with Kisiel and Rudnik PC of Connellsville, said the authority exceeded its liabilities for the time audited by $980,594.

Rudnik did however suggest some changes to the authority’s internal accounting system regarding the general ledger.

For that reason, the authority voted to purchase a computer software program for officer manager Julie Paull for payroll and cash receipt purposes.

According to Rudnik, the authority’s total net assets increased by $98,479, mainly from a decrease in the balance of a loan with the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PennVEST).

Rudnik added the authority’s total liabilities decreased by $66,174 during the year in relation to the principal payment on the PennVEST loans, along with a minor decrease in accounts payable.

With $438,248 in net assets, Rudnik said that figure was up from the previous year at $284,180 because of depreciation.

Overall, the audit reported operating revenue at $584,298 and expenses at $410,193.

For the most part, the audit stated increases in expenses closely paralleled increases in revenues.

“Things have improved, but we need to take the next step,” said Rudnik.

Turning to other business, the authority received an update from Glenn Wolfe, engineer for Widmer Engineering, on an application still under review by the U.S. Rural Department of Agriculture for the third phase of an $11 million sewage project.

Wolfe said Widmer completed its final report on the project with the agriculture department concerned the system could overflow since the sanitary system would be discharging into a combined system.

Wolfe said Widmer was able to document 75 percent of malfunctions and that the system has the ability to discharge properly under the right conditions.

One problem Wolfe did present was the authority would have to provide updated figures for possible funding since the initial application with the agriculture department was filed several years ago.

In an unrelated matter, solicitor John Cupp suggested the authority make a new set of copies of its rules and regulations since it has undergone a lot of revisions.

Cupp added that a copy should be filed in the law library at the Fayette County Courthouse.