Owasso approves one‑year contract with BT & Co. PA for fiscal‑year audit at $66,200

The Owasso City Council voted to contract with BT & Co., PA of Topeka, Kansas, to perform the city's fiscal‑year audit ending June 30, 2025, at a quoted price of $66,200.

Karla Novyanske, presenting the item, said Oklahoma law and the city charter require an independent accounting firm to audit the city annually and that the auditor reports to the city's audit committee. City staff requested cost proposals from two firms — BT & Co., PA and Forvis/Mazars (transcript referenced the firm as Forbes Maesar/Forbus Mazars) — and provided both proposals to the audit committee. Novyanske said BT & Co. quoted $66,200 for the fiscal‑year 2025 audit while the other firm quoted $88,725; the audit committee unanimously recommended BT & Co. for the one‑year contract with options to renew up to four additional years.

Novyanske explained the $5,000 fee noted in the contract would apply if more than one major federal program is selected for testing under the federal Single Audit Act (commonly known as a "single audit"). She clarified that the single audit requirement is contingent on the city spending federal dollars above the single‑audit threshold in a fiscal year; historically the city has had only one major program, she said.

Councilors asked about the comparative cost differences and why only one other firm submitted a proposal; Novyanske said municipal auditing firms are a limited market and staff sought firms experienced with the city's reporting and awards. After brief discussion and no public comment, the council approved the contract on a roll call vote.

The vote authorizes the city manager to execute documents necessary to engage BT & Co., PA for the FY2025 audit and provides the option to renew in future years as outlined in the proposal.