The annual audit for the City of Minden was presented at the May meeting of the Minden City Council. Representatives Tim Green and Jennie Henry from Allen, Green, & Williamson, LLP attended to share the findings.
“The opinion, as well as in the previous years, is an unmodified opinion. That’s saying that we’re not recommending any modification be made to the report,” said Henry.
Henry also noted that a single audit was required this year, as the city received over $750,000 in federal funding. While last year’s federal coverage totaled $200,000, this year it was up to $4.6 million.
These funds supported several major projects, including the construction of a parallel taxiway at the Minden Airport, a community development block grant for a sewer project, and state and local fiscal recovery funds used for the public works control center, the Community House, and the REC Center study. Allen, Green, & Williamson tested all three projects, and Green delivered their audit findings.
The main recommendations included transitioning more city departments to a time-clock system for tracking employee hours, adjusting how street infrastructure is accounted for — either by reverting to a depreciation method or changing the rating threshold — and producing an annual report for the airport improvement program.
“I think there was a great improvement on the condition over financial reporting. The condition rating for the street system, you just need to consider that and make a decision on that. The airport improvement program, now that you’re aware that it just needs annual reporting, I think that’s simple to fix,” said Green.
“The other item was just the matter as far as the time clock system, and trying to get everybody on that program.”
Green also extended appreciation to city staff for their cooperation. “Your staff was really great at helping us, and we really appreciate that really much,” he said.
Following the audit presentation, Mayor Nick Cox emphasized its importance: “The audit is how we know if we’re doing our jobs right or not, and keeps us accountable to the citizens, and this is your demonstration that we’re trying our best to run the city as appropriately and right as we can.”
In other council business, several appointments to boards and commissions were approved. Kasi Kendrick was appointed to the Minden Main Street Program/Downtown Development Commission, with her term ending September 8, 2026. Derek Peris was appointed to Minden Downtown with a term expiring December 31, 2028. Elizabeth Hollingsworth was re-appointed to continue serving, with her new term also expiring on December 31, 2028.
The council additionally granted the mayor authority to retain attorney Michael Busada as outside counsel for the city. “This is to hire a bonding attorney for our recreation complex enhancement project. We felt like Mike Busada would be good legal counsel from a bonding aspect, although we may very likely not bond. We still need to go through the approval process and get all the clearances and blessings legally that we can,” said Mayor Cox.
The monthly Minden City Council meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 6 PM at the Minden Civic Center. Meetings are open to the public and are also livestreamed on the City of Minden’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, both titled “City of Minden,” for those who cannot attend in person.