by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Calling it a positive step toward becoming more transparent and accountable, the Office of Public Accountability released the financial audit for the Mayors Council of Guam today.

According to audit supervisor Rodalyn Gerardo, the Council and all mayor's non-appropriated funds ended Fiscal Year 2012 with a qualified opinion on its statement of cash deposits and disbursements. "In 2011, The auditors found there was $126,000 in deposits and $118,000 in disbursements that they were unable to classify and this year, those numbers decreased to $59,000 in deposits and $37,000 in disbursements," she said.

The OPA further commends the village of Barrigada for not having any findings this year. She adds concerns were raised regarding the senior citizen centers and their operations including bingo activities. The audit notes that all income derived from the centers such as bingo is identified as program income and that the disbursements derived from it are subject to federal procurement regulations.

The OPA adds that certain past "customary" disbursements such as chenchule is not authorized.