MASON — At the most recent Town of Mason council meeting, Mayor Mindy Kearns stated the town will be audited by the state.

Kearns said Mason was randomly selected by the state for the audit and that it is simply normal procedure and not a result of something wrong within the town. Kearns said the town annually performs an audit, but it has been at least ten years since the state has performed one. A date for the state audit was still unknown.

Also at the meeting, council also made a motion to send Recorder Deann Russell to the 2013 Budget Workshop on Feb. 11 in Charleston, with a second from Councilwoman Sarah Stover. Motion passed.

Kearns also stated this decision to send Russell to this workshop was not made as a result of the upcoming state audit, but had already been planned for. According to the state auditor’s office, this workshop “will cover the basics of local government budget preparation in relation to preparing, approving and adopting a budget. Other related topics will include budget revisions, property tax rates and special excess levies. There will also be suggestions on the internal controls needed to prevent and detect fraud and embezzlement.”

In other council news, Russell also updated council members on the upcoming election, saying the filing period would end on Jan. 26, and the deadlines for candidates to withdraw and the filing for write-in candidates are Feb. 12 and April 23, respectively. Councilwoman Sarah Stover also made a motion for Russell to back up the town’s ordinance books on flash drives, with a second from Councilman James Pauley. Motion passed.

Council members also reviewed the new memorandum for the Senior Center and stated a decision to approve it or not should be made at the next meeting. Also concerning the Senior Citizens, Kearns approved the purchase of a new sign, the cost of which will be discussed at the next meeting. Council also stated the building needed a new roof, with Councilwoman Stover making a motion to place an ad for bids on the roof replacement with a second from Councilman Nick Northup. Motion passed.

Kearns also stated she will be meeting with the county commissioners to discuss the Virgil Lewis House and the possibility of demolishing it. It was also stated that the town received a certificate for phase three of the sidewalk project. Councilwoman Stover also asked about the town’s Easter Egg Hunt, which will be discussed at the next meeting.

Also making personal appearances at the meeting were Larry Daniel, Earnie Compson, Danny Kearns, and Pete Shepard. Daniel stated the town’s nest Neighborhood Crime Watch meeting would be at 6 p.m. on Feb. 6, in the town’s community room. Compson spoke to the council regarding the replacement of water lines in the Clifton area, saying there are several leaks and no water pressure.

The minutes from the Jan. 3 meeting were read and approved with a motion from Councilman Northup and a second from Councilwoman Stover. Several bills were also accepted for payment with a motion from Councilman Northup and a second from Councilwoman Michelle Pearson. Both motions passed.

In addition to Mayor Kearns, council members present were James Pauley, Nick Northup, Michelle Pearson, Sarah Stover and Recorder Deann Russell. Councilman Marty Yeager was absent.

The Town of Mason council will meet again at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 7, in the town hall.