Auditors from Hinton Burdick CPAs reported to the Saint George City Council that the city’s fiscal year 2024 financial statements received an unmodified (clean) opinion.

Steve Palmer, audit partner with Hinton Burdick, told the council the audit followed generally accepted auditing standards and governmental auditing standards, included federal single-audit procedures because the city expended more than $750,000 in federal funds, and tested three federal programs: the Airport Improvement Program, the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, and a Department of Energy Conservation Research and Development grant. The auditors reported no findings required under the single-audit procedures.

The audit team did report two items to the State of Utah’s compliance review: a deficit fund balance in the Central Business District Community Development Agency (CDA) Fund and expenditures in the Airport Passenger Facility Fee Fund that exceeded budget by roughly $182,000. According to the auditor, the Central Business District deficit stems from a long-held property acquisition (an older hotel on the boulevard) and staff are evaluating options including potential sale to address the deficit.

Council members praised the thoroughness of the audit and asked questions about utility fund health and whether healthy utility funds might prompt rate adjustments. The auditor said decisions on rate adjustments are part of the city’s annual budget process and five‑year utility forecasts.

Why it matters: The clean opinion indicates the audited financial statements fairly present the city’s financial position for FY 2024. The two state-reported items require attention by staff and disclosure under state reporting requirements, but the auditor described them as limited in the context of the city's total finances.

Speakers who addressed the audit included Tiffany (finance staff), auditor Steve Palmer (Hinton Burdick CPAs & Advisors), and several council members who asked questions about rates and specific findings.