Staff at the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay are talking about budgets these days, but they’ve had their minds on auditors this spring, too.

The agency starts its public budgeting process this month to set parameters for spending and revenues for the fiscal year that starts July 1. The first public meeting of the port’s budget committee is set for 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 30, in the port offices, 125 Central Ave., in Coos Bay.

But first things first.

The agency recently re-appointed Scoville and Reiber CPA PC as its auditor of record. The Coos Bay firm, which has audited port finances since 2002, was among four companies that sent in bids. According to the port, they included:

* Scoville & Reiber: $25,800;

* Wall & Wall PC CPAs, Coos Bay: $19,865;

* Pauly Rodgers & Co., Tigard: $25,300; and

* Steve Tuchscherer CPA, Roseburg: $15,500.

At the port commission’s March 20 meeting, Commissioner Caddy McKeown was the first to mention the cost.

“Obviously Scoville & Reiber is the most expensive there. I’d like some explanation,” McKeown said.

The port is not required to accept the lowest bid, and in this case the bid by Steve Tuchscherer CPA didn’t meet specifications, said Mike Gaul, the port’s deputy executive director. He went on to explain that port staff want an auditor who’s not only a phone call away, but nearby enough to show up at port offices throughout the year, too. That eliminated the Tigard firm. In the final analysis, it came down to hours.

Scoville & Reiber estimated its staff would spend 358 hours auditing port records, while Wall & Wall came up with 48 fewer hours. Gaul said staff felt that since Wall & Wall is not familiar with ongoing projects, it would have a learning curve that would use up some hours, leaving less time for the actual auditing. And should the accountants go over the not-to-exceed cap, the port would be charged for the extra work on an hourly basis.   

“If the numbers go up, the costs go up,” Gaul told commissioners.

That led port staff to the recommendation.

When it went to a vote, the commission opted for Scoville & Reiber. Commissioner Jerry Hampel abstained from the discussion and vote declaring a conflict of interest.

Charleston roadwork

Also in March, the port commission OK’d a low bid of $238,932 from Laskey-Clifton Corp. for upgrades at the Charleston Marina. The project would entail traffic and parking improvements in the outer basin. The crew would pave Eel Avenue and do paving drainage work behind Seahawk Seafood.