Final Tourism Council allocation to be released after a review of audit by county officials

Even though the Presque Isle County Tourism met the deadline of December 14 to submit information regarding camp rentals and financial records at the Ocqueoc Outdoor Center, and had it presented to them by Jerry Kieliszewski, CPA, from Rogers City, the board still held their remaining 2006 appropriation. Chairman Allan Bruder was reluctant to entertain a motion to allocate the entire $6,250 until the numbers presented by the auditor could be verified with figures at the county treasurer?s office. A motion was approved to give the Tourism Council $2,500, then, after the numbers had been review, the rest would be released. Bruder said he and commissioner Gary Wozniak would review the information Tuesday.

At the November 29 county board meeting, Bruder pledged to follow through with making sure the money has been handled properly. The commission had established the December 14 deadline after information regarding rental activity at the county park had not been turned in. At a previous meeting, they had submitted information from 2006, but nothing before that.

IN PRESENTING the Tourism Council?s 2005 audit, Kieliszewski told the board that the camp experienced a loss of $10,000 in 2005. ?Of the $10,000 loss that the whole organization experienced,? said Kieliszewski, ?$12,000 was directly related to this operation. This was almost the first full year in operation ? of a new adventure. The Ocqueoc Outdoor center did create a loss.? Kieliszewski said the Tourism Council would have been in the black to the tune of $2,000, if it were not for the cost of operating the camp. To avoid future problems, Kieliszewski made a couple of recommendations and suggestions, which included the county and the Tourism Council entering into a contract ?as to how things are supposed to operate. Whose responsible? How is it supposed to operate? What is the method of operation? That is the biggest thing.?

In Kieliszewski?s examination of the information he said ?There is nothing that?would indicate any improprieties.? If there had been any improprieties, he w

ould have been responsible for reporting them to Bruder. Kieliszewski said 2006 is not complete, but he plans to help the Tourism Council establish some accounting structure to better keep the records. He also suggested the Tourism Council present a quarterly report. A final report from Kieliszewski was still to be presented to the Tourism Council ?Because any time you give money, that is taxpayer money, in your contract you should specify that you want to see financial statements,? said Kieliszewski. If the Tourism Council?s records show the financial statements are in order, the final $3,750 would be released.

IN OTHER business: ? After several minutes of discussion, which became heated at times, the board approved a motion to pay Rogers City contractor Eric Brege of Northeast Excavation $1,203 for the installation of a curb stop as part of a project at the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse to establish a small RV Park. The RV Park will be used by guest lighthouse keepers. Commissioner Mike Darga said there was ?miscommunication on the project? that resulted in a live-water line being opened up and the contractor?s work crew and his equipment to sit. As a part of their motion, the board included a May 1 deadline date to complete the project.