A small group of potential bidders gathered at Orion Township Hall on July 10, to learn more about the forensic audit situation involving township investments.
The meeting was an opportunity for the potential auditors to ask questions of the township’s audit committee, made up of trustees John Garlicki, Matt Gibb and Mike Gingell.
Gibb, Garlicki and Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk (sitting in for Gingell) were on hand to answer questions from the group of six, though Gibb said coming to the meeting was not a requirement for the bidders, and more than five or six bids could be received by the committee’s July 21 deadline.
Gibb said that the township is not just interested in what went wrong with the investments, but also in getting suggestions for what could be done to set it right.
‘The issue has bogged down work in the township for way too many months,? he told the auditors.
He said the committee was hoping for a timeline, or something of that nature, to be included in the auditors? proposals.
Dywasuk added that he doesn’t know if anything illegal has taken place, but that the investment in question has been an issue for over a year, dating back to late 2004.
‘All seven of us voted,? Gibb said. ‘Let’s have this audit done and get the process taken care of.?
‘We’re going to do what’s best for the township,? he added.
The auditors applauded the committee for creating what they called a ‘very detailed proposal,? and one of the better ones that they have seen.
After the July 21 deadline, the committee will review all of the proposals and make a recommendation to the board.
Garlicki said they will reveal all of the bids at that time.
‘It’s not always the lowest bid that gets selected,? he said.
Gibb said the committee is expecting the cost of the audit to range from $10,000 to $40,000, and will not be budgeted for until the exact bidder and price is known.
He and Garlicki added that the initial audit is meant to cover the scope of the investments question, but it could lead to other questions that need to be answered in a separate audit or procedure.