Harris & Co to hike up prices for accounting
Harris and Company, P.C., the accounting firm retained to handle bookkeeping services for the city of Blackshear, recently notified the city of a significant rate hike for their services.
In an official communication bearing the company’s letterhead, Harris and Company notified the city their new fee for “governmental consulting and bookkeeping services” would be $3,900 a month, effective Jan 1, 2025. Per public comments from Blackshear Mayor Keith Brooks at the March 4 city council work session, the fee had previously been $2,200 a month, making this a steep increase.
The $1,700 spike in monthly rates was explained by Harris and Company as “necessary to maintain our high level of service and keep pace with rising operational costs (technological upgrades, professional development and ongoing staff training)”.
After a discussion by phone, the accounting firm is said to have agreed to $3,400 a month, but would still be losing money at that price. The city council will, according to Mayor Brooks, “probably shop around and bid it out.”
The council’s regular meeting and any follow up on the matter was not available prior to this week’s edition going to press, but The Times will publish a follow up as the issue develops.
