AHOSKIE – The financial news was well-received.

During its monthly meeting here last week, members of the Ahoskie Town Council were informed of the findings of the town’s 2004-05 audit.

Chris Burton, an auditor with Pittard, Perry & Crone, shared that Ahoskie’s assets at the close of the 04-05 fiscal year were $13.7 million, an increase of $1.3 million.

The town’s fund balance remained strong, standing at $2.87 million.

“You collected more money than you spent and that’s always a good thing,” Burton said.

He also noted that the property tax collection rate grew by a percentage point, increasing to 94.3 percent during the last fiscal year.

However, there were a few minor glitches.

Burton found one problem with a CDBG grant administered by the Mid-East Commission. There, two Ahoskie families received 100 percent assistance for residential rehabilitation work. Burton’s audit revealed that both families exceeded the income-eligible threshold and therefore only qualified for partial assistance.

“I have contacted the Mid-East Commission to take corrective action on these findings,” Burton said.

Town Manger Tony Hammond offered praise for the town employees involved in keeping a close reign on Ahoskie’s finances.

“(Town Clerk) Evelyn (Howard) and her staff did a super job as they always do,” Hammond noted.

In other business conducted by Council members at last week’s meeting:

Approved bids of $81,344 (to Roanoke Builders, Inc. of Enfield) and $178,888.98 (to Magette Well & Pump of Ahoskie) for water line connection and work on water supply well #5. Ahoskie has a $400,000 grant from the North Carolina Rural Center to apply to the $666,000 project;

Passed a resolution which will be forwarded to the state Department of Transportation requesting a curb-and-gutter project on NC 561 (First Street) from the Ahoskie Rescue Squad building to the turn-in lane at Hertford County High School;

Entered into a legal service agreement, as required by the USDA, that stipulates the legal service compensation rate for the wastewater treatment plant expansion project; and

Appointed Maurice Vann to the Ahoskie Planning Board/Board of Adjustment to fill Carl Askew’s term that expires June 30, 2006. Askew recently left that position open when he accepted the position of Ahoskie Town Councilman to fill the unexpired term of the late Larry Vann.