A Clear Path Forward: Looking Back to Move Forward

There’s been a lot of conversation surrounding the differences between an audit and a forensic audit, and what course of action truly serves our city best. I want to be clear: I support the idea of a forensic audit if it proves to be the most effective and responsible use of taxpayer dollars. With over 20 years of experience in financial oversight and operations, I believe it’s essential to take the time to thoroughly evaluate every option before making a decision.

There’s also been discussion about a potential examination by the State’s Chief Examiner’s Office. Following a recent conversation with their team, I now have a clearer understanding of how that option could benefit Helena, potentially at no cost to our city. I want to walk you through what I’ve learned, and more importantly, what my plans would be should I have the privilege of serving as your next mayor.

A Clear Plan for Helena

From day one, my top priority has been the financial sustainability and long-term success of Helena. I believe in both accountability and progress. That means we must examine how we arrived at this point and establish a clear path forward. If elected, I will ensure that our community is consistently informed, not only about where we’re headed, but also about what we uncover along the way.

Looking Back: The First 90 Days

If I’m elected, I will begin with a thorough financial review focused on transparency, accountability, and due diligence. Including:

Vendor Verification

A full review of all vendors used by the city over the last two years. Fraud often hides in plain sight, through false vendors. I anticipate the majority will be legitimate, but we must validate the rest to ensure every payment is justified.

Contract Review

A comprehensive look at contracts awarded over the past three years to confirm that all bidding and procurement regulations were followed, and contracts were awarded appropriately.

Bond Documentation Audit

I will request all documentation provided to attorneys and brokers involved in securing the $45 million in bonds. To date, I have not seen any pro forma financial statements or long-term revenue forecasts to justify such a significant financial commitment. By 2028, our debt service is expected to reach $3.5 million annually, roughly 15–20% of our current audited revenue. We must understand how that burden was justified and how we plan to manage it moving forward.

Looking Ahead: Building a Stronger Helena

Helena’s future depends on smart investments and responsible growth. Here’s what I’ll focus on:

Evaluate Discretionary Spending

Every dollar spent should benefit the citizens of Helena. We will take a closer look at what we’re funding—and why.

Encourage Strategic Commercial Development

The Highway 52 corridor presents a tremendous opportunity to attract businesses without adding strain to already congested areas. I’m committed to working with the community and business owners to attract the right kind of growth, complementing existing businesses and meeting the needs of our citizens.

Measure the Impact of the New Sales Tax

We need to clearly understand how much revenue the new tax is generating and what budget gaps remain.

Our Options Moving Forward

As we evaluate our financial history, several paths may be available depending on what we find:

Forensic Audit

These audits can be expensive and are usually reserved for complex accounting systems. While Helena’s finances appear very disorganized, they are not necessarily complex. If, however, the evidence shows we need one, I will not hesitate to pursue it.

State Examination

After speaking with the Chief Examiner’s Office, I learned that if there is evidence of fraud, malfeasance, misrepresentation, misappropriation, or misuse of funds, the State can step in at no cost to the city. While this is not a forensic audit, it functions much like one and could be the best use of our resources, if the facts support it.

Key takeaways from that conversation:

·        

·       The State needs facts, not just suspicions.

·       Their services are free to municipalities.

·       They can investigate bond documents if there is reason to believe lenders were misled.

Leadership Matters

These are difficult times for our city. We need thoughtful, steady leadership, someone who doesn’t make decisions based on pressure or headlines, but instead on data, integrity, and the long-term good of Helena.

I’ve told my kids a thousand times: the easy road pays off tomorrow, but the hard road pays off for years to come. As your mayor, I won’t only pursue quick wins. I’ll pursue lasting results.

If you have questions or would like to discuss further, I’m always happy to connect. You can reach me directly at 205-482-7741.

Let’s work together to build a stronger, more transparent, and financially resilient Helena.