In a recent government meeting, officials addressed the pressing issue of the county's audit status, revealing significant delays and challenges in securing timely audits. The state audit department has informed the county that it will not be conducting the 2021 audit, citing a backlog of work that includes audits dating back to 2019. This has raised concerns among officials about the county's ability to meet its auditing obligations.

During the meeting, it was proposed to hire Ike Bailey to conduct the 2021 audit, with costs estimated between $65,000 and $85,000. However, the motion to proceed with this appointment initially failed due to concerns over the cost and the desire to potentially bundle the audits for both 2021 and 2022. After further discussion, a revised motion to engage Ike Bailey for both years was put forward and ultimately passed, reflecting a consensus that securing the audits is essential despite the higher costs.

Officials expressed frustration over the state’s inability to fulfill its auditing responsibilities and acknowledged the difficulty in finding alternative auditors willing to take on the work. The conversation highlighted the broader issue of staffing shortages within the state audit department, which has compounded the delays.

As the meeting progressed, attention shifted to the influx of applications for drainage permits, indicating ongoing infrastructure needs within the county. The officials noted that many applications had been submitted recently, although not all were included in the meeting packet.

The discussions underscored the county's commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability in its financial practices, even amidst challenges in the auditing process.