Dade County’s Board of Commissioners reacted with a pleasant grin to the verdict of a clean and unmodified audit to last year’s review of government financials.
Commissioners heard the abbreviated synopsis of the Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Financial Statement during Thursday’s night workshop, prior to the board’s regularly scheduled meeting.
Garrett Williams and Brock Oliver of HHM Accounting Firm gave commissioners a brief overview of findings along with a lengthy detailed breakdown on their results and conclusion of an audit of accounting standards for Dade County government for the period ending June 30, 2024.
“We are issuing a clean opinion; which is an unmodified opinion. It’s the highest level of assurance that we can provide as auditors”, said Oliver. “The report on internal controls; there were no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the current year or the prior year.”
Williams told board members that no fraud or significant matters were found during the FY 2024 audit and that no difficulties were encountered with staff during the review.
“We always want to hear clean report,” beamed Dade County Executive Don Townsend, “We are glad to see the fund balance continue to rise too, it used to be very low, and a lot of that is due diligence to one thing we don’t want to talk about; taxes, but I’m pleased with it.”
Not pleased with the auditors’ breakdown was Commissioner Bob Woods, who asked for a future revamp from authors in subsequent audits. “For next year, I want an executive summary in the front,” said Woods, referring to the binder report.
“That’s what that was,” joked Townsend in reply to Woods.
“That’s too much,” retorted Woods, who says he wants more focused suggestions from auditors on actionable items.
“Well, that’s on page 89,” noted Townsend to even more snickers from the audience. “Well, I’m not going to get to page 89,” countered Woods, with a similar response from the gallery.
Both accountants credited Dade’s management of the general fund, saying it is where they would expect to be, and in line with the county’s overall financial footprint.
Townsend says one thing the audit does not account for is the county’s inroads in paying off outstanding debt. Townsend claims there was a 23% reduction last year in long term debt, and projects Dade County could find itself debt-free in the next two to three years, with proper financial stewardship.
The Dade Commission also adjusted the public input time by making a policy. Watch the full meeting below.
