Latest news with #LodiChamberof
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Will audit report serve as 'road map' for City of Lodi?
Jun. 12—Lodi City Councilwoman Lisa Craig-Hensley said a lot of the issues presented in a recent internal review report relate to best practices. The council on Tuesday received the presentation from Moss Adams, LLP during a special meeting. The report, which was completed in January, focused on assessing key controls for protecting city assets and resources, as well as timely processing and reporting of financial information. "There are a number of instances that truly reflect our continuing concern for lack of staffing to do some of the work (described in the report)," Craig-Hensley said. "There were certain sections that said 'get caught up, bring in some temp staff.' If we need temp staff to work 200 hours to do some of this, we need to get that done." Some of the firm's recommendations include implementing a fraud, waste and abuse hotline; establishing an internal audit function; assessing staffing levels; assessing the necessity of fleet vehicles and dispose of vehicles that are no longer needed; and strengthening the CAL-Card use and review process, among others. Craig said she favored the implementation of an investment committee or finance committee to oversee investment strategies and decisions, as suggested in the report. Currently, the city's investments are overseen by one employee, which Moss Adams said can pose several risks, including lack of diversification, limited perspective and reliance on individual judgment. An investment committee would be comprised of individuals with diverse expertise, including finance, risk management, and relevant industry knowledge, the firm said. If the city does not have sufficient knowledge to self-manage its investments, the firm suggested that it should consider contracting with a third-party fiduciary. Craig also said the city needs to comply with city ordinance 3.20, which states a purchasing officer be appointed by the city manager and have general oversight of purchasing functions. Lodi Chamber of Commerce president and CEO JP Doucette said the report was an important step in tackling the challenges facing the city's financial operations. He said Moss Adams not only delivered confirmation that there were financial issues at City Hall, but a "road map" of steps to correct weaknesses in the organization's structure. "This is the kind of transparency and accountability we expect from the city," he said. "It's the implementation that matters now. These (recommendations) aren't optional. These are critical controls that any business or nonprofit operating in Lodi would be expected to have in place." In its report, Moss Adams also found that the city does not have a mechanism in place for reporting potential fraud, waste or abuse, which creates the risk that potentially suspicious activities may not be investigated or resolved. This may lead to potential misappropriation of assets, fraudulent financial reporting, or other related activities, the firm said. A hotline would offer employees, residents and vendors a confidential avenue to report suspicious activities or concerns in a timely manner, which would allow the city to respond and address the concerns, the firm said. In addition, the firm said a hotline would enhance transparency, encourage accountability and foster a culture of integrity in the city. Moss Adams added the lack of an internal audit function can result in less oversight, which can lead to undetected errors, mismanagement or fraudulent activities within departments. The firm suggested the city outline the scope and objectives of an internal audit function, and create a comprehensive plan that prioritizes high-risk areas and establishes a schedule for regular internal audits of various departments and functions. The city should also identify qualified resources to carry out the internal audit function, either through recruitment or outsourcing to a qualified firm, and regularly assess its effectiveness and make adjustments as necessary to improve its impact on departmental and operations, the firm said. To view the entire document, visit The council also approved an amendment to a contract with Meyers Nave of Sacramento for legal services related to employment matters and investigations. According to Tuesday's agenda, the council approved allocating $50,000 to make the total contract $260,000. Craig-Hensley said the additional funding was related to work involving public records requests due the the city's lack of staffing and ability to fulfill requests from the community.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lodi has big plans for Small Biz Week
May 3—The City of Lodi will be offering a series of seminars and events benefiting local entrepreneurs as part of National Small Business Week, beginning Sunday. Founded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the week of May 4-10 will honor the entrepreneurial spirit, resilience and role small businesses play in driving local economies and shaping community character. "Small businesses in Lodi are more than just storefronts — they are neighbors, friends, and the heart of our community," City of Lodi Economic Development Director Luis Aguilar said. "That is why we are intentional about celebrating them during National Small Business Week and supporting them all year long." The week will kick off with the Lodi Street Faire on Sunday, where dozens of the region's small businesses will be plying their wares on Church and School streets. In addition, the stores and restaurants on both streets will also be open. offering sales and discounts to shoppers. On Monday, small business owners can attend a free webinar presented by WorkNet that will provide resources and insights to current and aspiring entrepreneurs. The webinar begins at 2 p.m., and business owners can register at On Tuesday, the Lodi Chamber of Commerce, city council members and staff, and representatives from San Joaquin County's Economic Development Agency will visit businesses along Cherokee Lane at 10 a.m., and on Wednesday, the San Joaquin Small Business Development Center will host an Access to Capital Summit at 6221 West Lane in Stockton at 9 a.m. Those interested in attending can register at On Wednesday at 4 p.m., the chamber will host a ribbon cutting at Fuego Prime, a local food truck that is opening a brick-and-mortar location at 125 N. Sacramento St. The council will then present a proclamation recognizing the week at its meeting at Carnegie Forum at 7 p.m. The chamber will then host a Small Business Week Mixer at Lodi Bowling Lounge, 302 N. Sacramento St., Thursday at 4 p.m. Featured initiatives supporting small businesses that the city will be promoting next week include Lodi's Microloan Program and the county's Spark Relief Grant. The Microloan Program offers financing of as much as $50,000 to small businesses with less than 10 employees. While any businesses that meet the borrowing criteria can apply, the loans are specifically designed for first-time and low-income borrowers, as well as businesses owned by minorities, veterans and women. The Spark Relief Grant provides utility reimbursements of as much as $5,000 to help businesses across the county recover from the financial impacts of COVID-19. "The success of Lodi's small businesses affects all of us," Chamber president and CEO JP Doucette said. "Every dollar spent locally recirculates in our community — paying for a neighbor's job, sponsoring a youth soccer team, or helping fund the next treasured local business. When we shop local, we're not just shopping; we're investing in the diversity and energy of our community."
