Concerns over financial compliance took center stage at the Grand County Audit Committee meeting on June 13, 2025, as members grappled with unresolved issues stemming from previous state audits. The committee expressed frustration over a lack of clarity regarding disallowed expenses, particularly related to the use of transient room tax (TRT) funds for salaries of the Trail Ambassador program.

During the meeting, committee members highlighted the ongoing confusion about what constitutes allowable expenditures under state guidelines. One member questioned, “Where does the county go if it isn't the external auditor next year to ensure compliance?” This pointed to a broader concern about the county's financial oversight and the potential for repeating past mistakes.

The discussion revealed that despite acknowledging audit findings and agreeing to repay funds, the county continued to allocate money in the same manner, raising questions about accountability. “We admitted that this was a problem... and then we continue to do the same thing,” one member noted, emphasizing the need for a more robust system to catch such discrepancies.

The committee agreed on the necessity of a meeting with the state auditor to clarify the guidelines surrounding TRT expenditures. “It needs to be statute, not opinion,” one member asserted, underscoring the urgency for definitive rules to prevent future misinterpretations.

As the meeting concluded, members expressed a collective desire to move forward and resolve these issues, with plans to engage external assistance if necessary. The committee aims to ensure that Grand County's financial practices align with state requirements, ultimately seeking to restore public confidence in their fiscal management.