Saratoga treasurer resigns

Nearly two months after appointing a new town clerk, the Town of Saratoga will begin the search for a new town treasurer. The resignation of the current treasurer, Sammy Flohr, was announced by Mayor Creed James during the May 4 meeting of the Saratoga Town Council.

Additionally, while the governing body will begin advertising for another town hall vacancy, it appears an audit of Fiscal Year 2019/2020 will finally take place. A proposal from an accounting firm in Lander was unanimously accepted by the town council.

Farewell to Flohr

The announcement of Flohr’s resignation from the Town of Saratoga came seven years to the day after he was introduced to the council and the public by then mayor John Zeiger.

Flohr, who described himself in a May 14, 2014 Saratoga Sun article as a “recovering Greeny”, was approached by former town clerk Suzie Cox about the position.

Prior to working for the Town of Saratoga, Flohr was employed at the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort (then the Saratoga Resort and Spa) as a bartender and night manager. While still in Colorado, Flohr had worked in the accounting department of a marketing firm.

After announcing Flohr’s resignation, James publicly read the letter into the record.

“Please accept this letter as notice that I will be resigning from my position one month from today’s date. My final day in the office will be Friday, May 21, 2021,” wrote Flohr. “I appreciate the important opportunities that have been provided to me over the course of the last seven years and I will do whatever I can to help make this a smooth transition.”

Councilmember D’Ron Campbell, who was appointed as the town hall liaison by James in January, thanked Flohr for his time with the Town of Saratoga.

“Thank you, Sammy, for everything you’ve done. I appreciate it,” said Campbell. “I’ve enjoyed working with you for the last six months or so. So, thank you.”

The position of treasurer is one of five that are appointed by the mayor with approval from the governing body.

Section 2.08.031 of the Saratoga Municipal Code reads “The town clerk, treasurer, chief of police, attorney and municipal judge shall be appointed by the mayor with the consent of the governing body and may be removed by the mayor for incompetency or neglect of duty. The appointments shall be made by the mayor at the first regularly scheduled town council meeting in January at the beginning of the mayor’s term of office or as soon thereafter as practical. The term of appointment for the town clerk, treasurer, chief of police, attorney and municipal judge shall be for a period of four years.”

Similar to the position of town clerk following the resignation of Cox, the town council discussed examining the job description for town treasurer as well as advertising for the position.

Under section 2.08.060 of the municipal code, the role of town treasurer is described as follows: It shall be the duty of the town treasurer to receive all money derived for the benefit of the town from any source and to disburse the same only on proper orders signed by the mayor and attested by the clerk. The treasurer shall so keep his or her accounts as to show when and from what source all money paid to him or her has been derived and to whom and where such money has been paid out. His or her books shall at all times be subject to examination by the council or any elector of the town.

While there does not appear to be any requirement in municipal code to declare a vacancy in any position other than mayor or council member, such a motion by Councilmember Jon Nelson was approved unanimously.

Auditor Engaged

Since being informed by Jason Lund, partner with Carver, Florek & James, that the accounting firm had no desire to engage with the Town of Saratoga for an audit of Fiscal Year 2019/2020, the governing body has been searching for a new accounting firm.

James, who has been spearheading the effort, informed the public and the council on May 4 a firm had submitted a proposal. The proposal came from Tim Fixter, a partner with Fagnant, Lewis & Brinda of Lander, Wyoming. According to the company’s website, Fixter was born and raised in Riverton and had been in public accounting for many years before joining the firm in 2011.

Fagnant, Lewis & Brinda was formed in 1976 with all three principal partners still involved in the company. Previous clients for the accounting firm include the Town of Pinedale, the Town of Dubois, the City of Lander, Big Horn County School District No. 3 and Fremont County School District No. 25.

The proposal from the accounting firm included an estimated cost for two fiscal years with the Fiscal Year 2019/2020 audit estimated at $27,500 and the Fiscal Year 2020/2021 audit estimated at $26,000.

A motion to engage with Fagnant, Lewis & Brinda was passed unanimously.

The next meeting of the Saratoga Town Council will be at 6 p.m. on May 18 at Saratoga Town Hall.