The City Commission of High Springs held a meeting on June 26, 2025, where the primary focus was the presentation of the fiscal year 2023 audit. Bridal McKittrick, a director with James Moore and Company, addressed the commission, highlighting significant challenges faced during the audit process, primarily due to issues with the city's accounting software and previous staff changes.

McKittrick noted that the audit was delayed because the necessary financial data was not readily available, requiring corrections to over 300 transactions before the audit could proceed. Despite these challenges, the audit was completed in approximately six to seven weeks, with the final report issued on June 16, 2025. The audit findings indicated that while there were issues with utility billing rates and budgetary compliance, the city was in good standing with state compliance requirements.

Looking ahead, McKittrick emphasized the importance of addressing the identified issues to ensure a smoother audit process for fiscal year 2024. Plans are in place to begin procedures in mid-July, with hopes of completing the audit before the end of the year. The commission expressed optimism about the progress made in correcting past accounting issues and implementing new policies to prevent future discrepancies.

In addition to the audit discussion, the meeting included a review of the city’s financial statements, which showed a decrease in the general fund balance and highlighted the need for ongoing improvements in financial management practices. The commission is committed to maintaining transparency and accountability as they move forward with their financial planning and operations.