New Budget Advisory Board: These are the members of the ECWCD's financial advisory committee which held its first meeting last week. They are from left to right, Frank Lohlein, David Deetscreek, a liaison member from the ECWCD board; Damon Shelor and Terry Busson. Not shown is John Boardman who used a phone speaker to communicate at the first meeting of the group. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Almost before the East County Water Control District’s (ECWCD) Financial Advisory Committee of four people had formed, Frank Lohlein, a self-proclaimed president of what he calls CAIT (Citizens Against Increased Taxes) composed of 300 senior citizens, shouted he would not vote for any increase in taxes. He continued to make accusations against others and was finally silenced when another board member told him to quit playing politics.

The meeting held May 4 at the offices of the ECWCD at 615 Williams Ave. was for the purpose of electing officers and taking home five proposals from auditors and coming back at the next meeting with a ranking of which one should be chosen.

Then Lohlein said the employees attending should not be paid overtime for the meeting which started at 5 p.m. Lohlein was told no overtime was being paid and that the staffers were there on their own time.

The four members of the financial advisory committee are Terry Busson, Frank Lohlein, Damon Shelor and John Boardman, who was unable to attend, but talked over a speaker from a cell phone.

Lohlein continued to shout that he would never vote for taxes. He served on the board 14 years ago.

Damon Shelor, who also recently served on the board of commissioners of the ECWCD, told Lohlein “to keep politics out of this meeting.”

“Don’t use this as a forum,” Shelor said.

“I certainly will,” Lohlein said.

At one point, Boardman said from the speaker phone that he was “unhappy with Mr. Lohlein.” Then Boardman went on to say that he was distressed by Lohlein’s name calling.

The group selected Terry Busson as chairman and Damon Shelor as vice chairman and secretary.

Finally after listening to Lohlein continuing to argue, Busson said they were there to select an auditor.

The group finally agreed to meet again on May 19 and May 26. Lohlein had also complained that Thursday nights were not good for him because he looks at Netflix videos at home that night, but he said he would “work around it.”

Also present was David Deetscreek, a member of the board of commissioners. He serves as a board liaison.

The four members are to return with their rankings of the auditors with one being the top vote-getter. All five were from other parts of Florida. Only one auditor from Fort Myers submitted a proposal, according to Brenda Fallon, who facilitated the meeting. She said the firm did not fulfill the requirements in filling out the application and had been disqualified.

The group will recommend a budget to manager David Lindsay who said the board of commissioners must adopt a budget at the August regular meeting.

The group was told that time is of the essence and that they could invite any of the auditors to visit Lehigh and make a presentation. That cost was included in the proposals, Fallon, who is also the comptroller of the ECWCD, said.

The meetings are open to the public at the Williams Rd. address.

It is possible to perform a good part of the audit electronically for firms that are three or more hours away from the District. However, auditors are required to meet with the Financial Advisory Committee to discuss the results of the audit prior to presentation of the financial statements to the Board of Commissioners at the February Board Meeting.

ECWCD solicited the services of an independent certified public accounting firm to provide annual external independent financial auditing services to the District for a period of up to five years beginning with an audit of the financial statements of the District for its fiscal year ending September 30, 2011.