Cambria in black, audit finds

Local News

Discussion

June 29, 2012

Cambria in black, audit finds

Sandra K Reabuck sreabuck@tribdem.com The Tribune-Democrat Fri Jun 29, 2012, 11:45 PM EDT

EBENSBURG — Cambria County ended 2011 in the black, a turnaround from a year ago when the audit showed a dismal $10 million deficit stemming from the sale of the county’s former nursing home.

Cambria’s $55.5 million general fund budget ended with a $500,000 surplus, but that was whittled down to $70,000 with deficits in some other funds, Joel Valentine, a partner in the accounting firm of Wessel & Co., said this week.

Cambria has about 50 funds, with expenditures of $184 million – much of that “in and out” from the state and federal governments and the county pension fund.

County Controller Ed Cernic Jr. said that the positive ending balance was realized with a $1.4 million infusion into the general fund.

The money came from a surplus in the county’s self-insured workers compensation fund with the sale of Laurel Crest, the county nursing home.

With the release of the findings this week, the county was able to meet its self-imposed completion deadline, which is today.

The commissioners, who took office in January, had said the audit likely wouldn’t be done until September because a finance director was not yet aboard to draw up the required management analysis.

Mike Gelles, who retired in March as Cambria’s chief clerk/finance director, had performed that task.

Valentine said that Wessel assisted David Knepper, the county’s new chief clerk, in drawing up that analysis for the 2011 audit.

“The county is in pretty good financial health. (The surplus) gives a fresh start for the commissioners. There are some hills to climb, but it’s a fresh slate,” Valentine said.

The commissioners, saying that they are closely examining all expenditures, pointed out that Cambria is losing population at a time when the state and federal governments are cutting back on reimbursements for programs.

Tax revenues, including delinquent collections, were up $3.5 million, or 11 percent, to $36 million, Valentine said. But 10 percent of that increased revenue was attributed to the 2.6 mill property tax increase, he said.

Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat print edition.

Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat e-edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Local News

Game officials: Bald eagle killed in Cambria County
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is trying to determine who fatally shot a bald eagle in western Pennsylvania earlier this month.

May 21, 2013
Independents, minor-party members locked out of primary election
More than 1 million registered voters in Pennsylvania will be barred from casting a ballot today because the state only allows registered Democrats and Republicans to participate in the primary election.

May 20, 2013 1 Photo
Permit path cleared: Construction soon on Rt. 219 project
The final permit is on the way for a Somerset-to-Meyersdale Route 219 improvement project to begin.
It’s a years-in-the-making step that will allow the estimated $300 million plan to be advertised for bids in the coming weeks – and if all goes well, move it to construction this fall, U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster said Monday.

May 20, 2013
Emergency response team hones skills at training camp
Almost certainly, no Cambria County Special Emergency Response Team members will ever be called upon to create a small bridge out of two pieces of wood and rope, use the newfangled walkway to get a group of individuals from one point to another, pick up an object at the end of the course and then figure out a way back to the starting point.
But the skills SERT officers gain by participating in drills like those – leadership, teamwork, trust and creativity – can be invaluable when they are serving and protecting the community.

May 20, 2013 2 Photos
Fun Day event to spotlight YMCA expansion
The Y logo may be seen from the sky June 15 when Greater Johnstown YMCA community members get together to form a logo comprised of people at a Community Fun Day.

May 20, 2013
Agency will provide produce vouchers to eligible seniors
Income-eligible residents ages 60 and older will have a chance to stock up a bit on locally grown produce through a voucher program offered in Cambria and Somerset counties this year.

May 20, 2013
Poverty simulation slated for today
Annamarie Pihs experienced firsthand the kind of harsh economic times she will be helping educate Johnstown community leaders about during today’s Walk a Day in My Shoes: Understanding Poverty event at Greater Johnstown High School.

May 20, 2013
In Brief | 27 students escape injury in bus crash
State police in Ebensburg are investigating a school bus crash that happened Monday on Route 36 in Clearfield Township.

May 20, 2013 1 Photo
State police investigating school bus crash
State police in Ebensburg are investigating a school bus crash that happened Monday on Route 36 in Clearfield Township. The Cambria Heights school bus was carrying 27 students when the driver apparently blacked out and sheared off a pine tree between the Chest Spring and Patton areas, schools superintendent Michael Strasser said. None of the high school or elementary students was hurt, he said. The students were triaged at the scene and released to their parents, Strasser said.
The driver was taken to Altoona Regional Hospital, he said.

May 20, 2013
Study: Hospitals’ finances are healthy
Hospitals across the region maintained financial health last year, a new state report shows.
But leaders say the continued strength required constant scrutiny and creative programming to identify new opportunities in a dynamic industry.

May 20, 2013
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Cambria in black, audit finds

Do we have too many economic development agencies in our area?

Contact Us