Grand County’s Audit Committee on Dec. 5 discussed how to coordinate the county’s 2026 external audit and how to bring component-unit audits into the same timetable.

Members confirmed five entities will be audited alongside the county — Canyonlands Healthcare, Grand County Recreation Special Services District, Grand County Solid Waste Special Services District and Grand County EMS, plus the county itself — and agreed to invite representatives from those units to a January audit committee meeting. The committee said early outreach is important because some component units may already be engaged with other auditors or have procurement policies that affect switching auditors.

Commissioners discussed audit pricing and how uniform quotes from the county’s selected firm could create an opportunity to encourage component units to use the same firm. To help persuade smaller entities, the committee proposed offering a $2,500 subsidy per component unit if they use the county’s selected auditor. A staff member sought confirmation for the record: “Just to clarify for me for the minutes, we’re offering them $2,500 off if they go with Richie May,” and a committee member replied, “If they go with Richie May.” The committee directed staff to reach out to the auditor to confirm scheduling and to invite the auditor to the January meeting so it can explain expectations and timelines.

Committee members also discussed a May 15 target date for component units to have financial statements prepared so auditors can complete field work in time for the county’s June timeline; several members cautioned that May 15 may be tight for some units and recommended letting the auditor set detailed field-work dates.

No binding requirement was imposed on component units; commissioners emphasized the subsidy is an incentive only because component units are legally independent and the county lacks authority to force them to use the county-selected firm. The committee asked staff (Mark) to contact the auditor and to include the proposed subsidy and timetable in outreach to component-unit boards.

Next steps: staff to invite component-unit representatives and the auditor to the Jan. 9 meeting and return with a refined timetable and formal offer wording.