Audit: More than $1 million due to Augusta airport

AUGUSTA - Airlines and tenants owe more than $1 million to Augusta Regional Airport in outstanding bills, according to a recent audit. <br> <br> What airport officials have discovered a backlog in outstanding bills, some less than a month old and others due years ago with balances carried over. <br> <br> J.T. Cosnahan, of Baird & Co. accounting firm, told the Augusta Aviation Commission about the scope of the problem Thursday during the board&#39;s monthly meeting. <br> <br> ``Our major concern is the (accounts) receivables,&#39;&#39; Cosnahan said. ``You&#39;ve got money that&#39;s lying around that you could have in your bank account.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Those receivables range from airline rent payments to cleaning and fuel charges. <br> <br> The audit began shortly after Airport Director Ken Kraemer and Finance Director Leslie Priessman were hired in August. Kraemer said they wanted to make sure they were inherting a clean financial record. <br> <br> Part of the problem was that until recently, the airport did not have an automated accounting system and handled the bills manually, said airport spokeswoman Kathryn Solee. <br> <br> ``Some (of it) has been because we&#39;ve been late getting bills out,&#39;&#39; she said. <br> <br> Aviation board members said they would like to see the airport start collecting some of the outstanding funds. The commission voted to spend about $15,000 for two Baird & Co. accountants to track down what accounts can be collected. <br> <br> ``The procedures are there (to collect),&#39;&#39; Cosnahan said. ``It&#39;s just going to take somebody going through with their sleeves rolled up.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Solee agreed. <br> <br> ``There may end up being some that we&#39;ll have to write off,&#39;&#39; she said, ``and that&#39;s just the cost of doing business and not being timely with things.&#34;