CASSOPOLIS — Cass County received a “clean,” unqualified audit for 2010 Thursday night from Alan Panter, a partner with Abraham and Gaffney.

“The audit went very well,” he said. “As usual, the county was very well-prepared and we got everything we needed to conduct the audit efficiently. Everyone was helpful, but Becky (Moore) especially. I’m here this year in February. Last year it was March, so we’ve shortened up the timeline.

“Significantly, the Road Commission, Woodlands and the Medical Care Facility are done separately and have to be completed to be rolled into this document.”

Panter added, “The purpose of an audit is to give you an opinion on your financial statements — not to detect fraud. An unqualified, clean opinion is the best you can get. It means financial statements were formatted correctly in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.”

(As the Daily News went to press, commissioners remained in closed session strategizing about negotiation of a contract for administrator).

Appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission were Kevin Claire for a term ending Jan. 1, 2014, and Korine Bachleda for an unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2012.

Bachleda, who has a Three Rivers address, is a trained group facilitator from her years working with MSU Extension in St. Joseph County.

The four-year Newberg Township clerk brings experience organizing special events, speaking to groups and teaching youth and has photography and art skills.

Claire, of Edwardsburg, offers management skills from experience as a store manager, buyer and sales representative for the past 30 years.

He is the current president of the Friends of Cass County Parks organization.

As general manager of Lunker’s for the past 20 years, Claire deals with the public and employees on a daily basis.

The lifelong county resident has a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology from Michigan Tech.

Commissioners approved Sheriff Joe Underwood’s purchase of a 2011 Ford Escape all-wheel-drive from C. Wimberley Automotive Group in Dowagiac for $21,900 to use as an unmarked vehicle, replacing a 2005 Ford Explorer with more than 151,000 miles.

Commissioner Charlie Arnold, R-Cassopolis, commended the sheriff for “downsizing” into a smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicle.

“We buy our specialized marked units through the state out of the motor pool fund and our unmarked cars locally,” Underwood said.

Arnold voted against, however, the $1,500 line item requested by Clerk-Register Barbara Runyon for the Cass County Apportionment Commission, which begins meeting this spring to discuss redistricting the 15 county commission districts.

Ten years ago the budget was $1,000.

Cass County Drug Enforcement Team, which includes four Dowagiac officers, conducted a raid Feb. 17 in the vicinity of Colby Street, but nothing had been released as of Thursday night.

Commissioners approved an intergovernmental funding agreement for the 2009 Michigan Citizen Corps program grant with Van Buren County in Paw Paw, the fiduciary for the region’s $33,083.

Commissioners’ next regular meeting is at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3; the Intergovernmental Forum, 5:30 p.m. March 10; and another regular meting at 7 p.m. March 17.