AUDIT_2024_07_18_MINUTESThe City of Lake Forest
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Proceedings of the July 18, 2024 Meeting
5:15 p.m. – City Hall, 220 E. Deerpath
Minutes
I. Call to Order and Roll Call
Chairman Dillon called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. Audit Committee Members present: Chairman
Dillon, Mr. Durkin, Mr. Hirsch, Ms. Larisey and Mr. Nowlin. Absent: Finance Committee Chairman Weber
and Mayor Tack. Quorum present.
City staff present: Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director; Diane Hall, Assistant Finance Director; Mark Krygeris,
Staff Accountant; Jamese Scott, Staff Accountant; Joe Mobile, Superintendent of Recreation.
Others present: Joe Lightcap, Baker Tilly, Paul Sacaridiz, Heather Sannes, Brett Taylor and Cathy Ramsey of
the Ragdale Foundation, Andrew Trees, Michael Slover, Bob Scales, Amy Wagliardo and Shona Geier of the
Gorton Community Center, Jackie Greca, Brian Larisey and Rick Amos of the Parks and Recreation
Foundation and Cheryden Juergensen of Eccezion.
Chairman Dillon welcomed new Committee member Nowlin.
II. Consent Agenda
Approval of Minutes From Audit Committee Meeting Held on April 18, 2024
Mr. Hirsch made a motion to approve the minutes from the April 18, 2024 Audit Committee meeting. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Durkin. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
III. FY24 Audit Status
Mr. Joe Lightcap of Baker Tilly stated the Engagement Letter was updated based on Audit Committee
recommendations. In addition, language was added to include a Single Audit, and this will not be required.
He stated that everything was ready the first day and no issues have been identified at this time.
Ms. Elizabeth Holleb, Finance Director stated that this was the second year Mark and Jamese prepared audit
schedules in preparation for the audit.
IV. Ragdale Foundation – Financial Presentation
Mr. Dillon read a statement as to the purpose of the Audit Committee as it relates to each Foundation.
Mr. Paul Sacaridiz, Executive Director of Ragdale reviewed the presentation provided in the packet. The
Foundaton received a clean audit opinion. The capital campaign raised $6.8m in donations.
The Committee discussed the donations are coming in from a more diversified donor base. Expenses to
raise money should be reduced now that the campaign is ending. Risk management is mitigated by
separation of duties.
The Committee discussed the loan with the City that is currently at $900k. Additional funds will be
requested to cover pledges. A repayment plan to be put in place.
V. Gorton Community Center – Financial Presentation
Mr. Dillon read a statement as to the purpose of the Audit Committee as it relates to each Foundation.
Mr. Michael Slover and Cheryden Juergensen of Eccezion provided an update on the annual audit. The audit
went well with some changes in Gorton staffing. A clean opinion was received and no findings.
The Committee provided comments on the slides provided in the packet. Programs have increased since
Covid. Staff have focused on becoming a more regional location for programming. The budget does include
a draw down of the endowment, but this is rarely used.
The Committee discussed the patio project, where a portion is covered by the City and the increased size of
the patio is covered by Gorton.
VI. Parks and Recreation Foundation – Financial Presentation
Mr. Dillon read a statement as to the purpose of the Audit Committee as it relates to each Foundation.
Jackie Greca of the Foundation provided an overview of events the foundation conducts each year to raise
funds for Parks and Recreation.
Mr. Rick Amos of the Foundation reviewed the fundraising events. The music festival has not been
successful and has been placed on hold. Based on a survey, 78% of respondents prefer the 4th of July event
at Deerpath Park. Turnout was lower than expected, and it is too early to tell how the event did financially.
They are looking at starting a membership program.
Mr. Brian Larisey of the Foundation shared that the accounting firm was not pushed to keep the financial
reporting deadline, and this will be taken care of for next year.
The Committee discussed the slides did not include requested financial statistics. The Foundation is trying
to reduce expenses. The new membership drive is to develop a special member only opportunities with the
goal of generating ongoing annual revenue.
VII. Other Business
Foundation Summary – No discussion
Foundation Financial Review – No discussion
Update from Innovations & Technology Team re. Cybersecurity Dashboard - The Committee is looking for
metrics/benchmarking. The metrics should measure something, such as success rate in blocking attempts to
penetrate systems.
Ongoing Discussion re. Foundation Presentation Format – Finance to confirm all data included in
presentation. Lake Forest Parks and Recreation was missing three-year financials. Communicate to
Foundations to assume the Committee has read the materials. Presentations no more than 20 -25 minutes
providing highlights, recap materials, risk management and three-year financials.
VIII. Opportunity for Public to Address the Audit Committee – No one requested to address the Audit
Committee
IX. Adjournment
There being no further business, a motion was made by Mr. Durkin to adjourn the meeting. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Nowlin. The motion was approved unanimous by voice vote. The meeting was adjourned
at 7:16 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Hall
Assistant Finance Director