By JIM BUTLER

The basic financial position of the City of Pineville, overlooked in the glare of sensation and questionable practices, seems solid, though one liability is of note, according to its most recent audit.

Posted in the public record on Monday by the Legislative Auditor’s Office, the audit previewed by the City Council in January shows net revenue of $40.7 million and expenses of $32.1 million in the fiscal year ending last June 30.

General revenues were $24.8 million with sales tax collection leading the way at $16.6 million and business-type income (utility, sanitation) totaled $15.9 million.

Police and fire services accounted for $13.3 million of the $22.5 million general government expense.

On the proprietary fund side, utilities expense was $6.2 million and sanitation $3.1 million of the $9.6 million total.

The city’s net position is capital investment-weighted, according to the audit.

Negative position is driven by long-term liabilities associated with retirement benefits and post-retirement health benefits, auditors note.

Net pension liability was $9.7 million; net liability for other post-retirement benefits was $9.5 million.

A year earlier, those totals were $11.1 million and $7.3 million, that audit showed.