By Naomi Hatch Taylor Town Manager Gus Lundberg made a presentation of the fiscal year 2015 financial audit and comprehensive annual financial report to the town council Jan. 7, noting he had recently submitted the final copy of the comprehensive annual financial report. The council then accepted both. “We just received an award for excellence in financial report,” said the town manager. “One thing real quick on the audit–things went well again this year. We didn’t have any significant comments by the auditor. We did receive a clean audit report, and they feel the statements in the report are accurate as far as the town’s dealings for the last fiscal year.” Lundberg highlighted important items that were in the report. “It’s a great feat that the GADA (Greater Arizona Development Authority) loan is paid,” he said, explaining that Northland Pioneer College officials paid off the loan, which will save NPC interest and relieve it of annual payments to the town. “Local sales tax collection is up 10 percent over the previous year, which was good,” said Lundberg, noting that the town officials were conservative in budgeting for projects that bring in the money, but spent only the amount they expected to bring in. Lundberg said that they made changes as far as what they need to report. He explained that the town participates in the Arizona State Retirement System for fulltime employees, and he must show what the anticipated payouts will be and what money is being collected. “It’s a big deal in the accounting world,” he noted. “The most useful portion of the report is in the back in the statistical section,” he said. “It’s not just a balance sheet, or profit and loss statements, it highlights some of the activity in the town over the last 10 years.” The section shows side by side how things have gone and offers an opportunity to evaluate what has happened over the last few years. The financial report will be posted on the town’s website at www.tayloraz.org. “They don’t hand these awards out freely,” said Councilman Carl Cosper of the Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting. “I think it’s a tribute to Gus and his staff for getting this award.” Vice Mayor Shawn Palmer moved to accept the fiscal year 2015 financial audit and comprehensive annual financial report. The motion passed unanimously.