Visitor agency, city release files

The Hanford Conference and Visitor Agency, whose budget irregularities are under internal investigation, released budgets and other records regarding its financial activities to The Sentinel Friday afternoon.

And so did City Hall.

Friday was the deadline for the agency and the city - which provides most of the funding - to turn over the information requested under the California Public Records Act.

The agency almost solely depends on Hanford tax dollars for its operation, and its board members are appointed by the city.

The Sentinel last week filed a request with both agencies to find out what might have led to the financial shortfall facing the tourism promotion arm of the city.

The requests sought information about the flow of money in and out of the agency. The request filing was prompted by The Sentinel's revelation last month that the agency is grappling with a $10,000 hole in its budget as well as the early retirement of executive director Ralph Tucci.

City Manager Alan Christensen has said the city is withholding its quarterly payment until matters are resolved. Under a contract, the city provides $96,300 out of the agency's $118,000 annual budget, and funds are released every three months.

The Sentinel received the following documents:

s Budgets for fiscal years 2004-2005, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007

s The statement of income for 2004 and 2005

s The financial statements for fiscal years 2005 and 2006

s Income tax exempt forms between 2003 and 2005

s An accounting report, which includes balance sheets, income statements and profit-loss tables

s A general ledger as of November 2006.

In response to the request for bank statements and the copies of the checks written, the agency has agreed to provide them on the condition that The Sentinel bears the cost of acquiring them.

The reporter can be reached at 582-0471, ext. 3059.

(Feb. 10, 2007)