Stevens County finance committee approves five-year audit contract with Sikich

Stevens County’s finance committee voted Sept. 11 to award a five-year contract for professional audit services to Sikich, the only firm that submitted a formal proposal by the RFP deadline. The county’s finance staff reported one bid was received from Sikich, delivered Sept. 11 at 9:35 a.m., and presented the proposed annual maximum fees for fiscal years 2025 through 2029.

The committee chair put the motion to approve the contract and members approved it by voice vote. Committee discussion cited Sikich’s existing familiarity with county operations as a factor in recommending the award. One member said, “I just think this goes Sikich. It's a good idea for us because we're familiar with what they look for.”

County staff summarized the bid’s proposed all-inclusive maximum annual prices: FY 2025 approximately $59,050; FY 2026 $62,000; FY 2027 $64,300; FY 2028 $66,300 (optional year one); and FY 2029 $68,300 (optional year two). The proposal included single-audit work, circuit clerk audit, assistance with capital asset records and certain actuarial accounting adjustments; staff noted there could be additional charges if extra services were required.

The RFP attracted interest from other firms; staff said representatives from Crowe, Baker Tilly and Roth & Company expressed interest but did not submit bids. One representative, Dan Curran of Crowe, emailed that he did not submit an RFP and hoped to be more competitive on a future cycle.

The contract award does not appear to include changes to the scope beyond what was described in the bid paperwork. Committee members said the county’s prior experience with Sikich informed their comfort with the recommendation. The committee approved the motion, with the chair announcing “Motion carried.”

The finance committee did not set a start date in the discussion recorded in the meeting minutes; staff indicated the five-year proposal covers FY 2025–2029 with two optional years. Further contract finalization and any additional service authorizations would follow standard procurement procedures.