In a recent government meeting, officials discussed critical financial management issues affecting the county's operations. A significant focus was placed on improving the tracking and approval processes for departmental purchases, particularly regarding gas and other expenses incurred on county credit cards. Officials emphasized the need for strict adherence to existing policies, which require pre-approval for purchases exceeding $200. This measure aims to enhance accountability and ensure compliance with General Statute 159, which mandates a pre-audit for all local government expenditures.

Concerns were raised about uncashed checks in the county's general fund bank account, some dating back over a year. Under North Carolina law, these unclaimed properties must be reported and remitted to the state annually. The county is currently working to address this backlog, with a deadline of October 31 for compliance.

The meeting also highlighted ongoing challenges with the county's financial systems, particularly the lack of integration between the tax system and the general ledger, which has resulted in numerous manual journal entries. Officials acknowledged that this issue could delay future audits and stressed the importance of resolving it to maintain efficient financial operations.

Additionally, the county's fund balance has shown improvement, increasing by nearly $5 million over the past year. This growth is attributed to higher-than-expected intergovernmental revenue and reduced expenditures, with actual spending falling significantly below budgeted amounts. The current fund balance now stands at 25% of general fund expenditures, surpassing the local government commission's recommended minimum of 20%.

As the county prepares for upcoming audits and financial reporting changes, officials are committed to enhancing training and compliance measures to ensure all departments adhere to established financial protocols.