Despite controversies, village receives clean audit report

KALKASKA – The Village of Kalkaska has seen its fair share of controversies during the last year.

That’s included the suspension of its treasurer, who then wrote a letter that resulted in a nearly $14,000 ethics investigation. There was also the successful recall election of former Village President Jeff Sieting and calls for the termination of the village manager, Scott Yost.

And, in a more recent twist, the council recently voted, 4-2, to part ways with its treasurer, Jennifer Standerfer, nearly 10 months after she was reinstated after she didn’t agree to a new employment agreement.

Maybe lost in all the turmoil, however, was an annual audit report for the period of February 2017 to February 2018, which was presented to and accepted by the Kalkaska Village Council at a Nov. 5 meeting. And, while lacking excitement and flattery, Joe Verlin of the Traverse City-based firm of Gabridge & Co., said the village received “an unmodified opinion.”

“That’s the highest level opinion we can render,” Verlin told council members. “Basically, it’s a clean opinion.

“Everyone (at the village offices) was very professional, very prompt in getting us the information we needed.”

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