Residents press Warren County supervisors over delayed audits; calls for forensic review

During the Nov. 5 public-comment period, several residents pressed Warren County officials about repeated delays in annual financial audits and asked the board to take steps to ensure timely, accurate financial reporting.

Taxpayer Vicky Cook told the board she was concerned the county might not meet Virginia Code requirements for presenting annual fiscal audits to the board by Dec. 31 and said the fiscal 2023–24 audit had already been extended multiple times. "If the 23–24 audit is delayed again, it will push back the 24–25 audit," Cook said. She urged the board to initiate a forensic audit to verify records and correct internal controls.

Other speakers offered alternatives. Tim Francis said he did not recommend a forensic audit because of its cost and time demands and urged the board to give finance staff resources to complete the audits. John Jenkins and others asked for clear public information on who is responsible for delays and what oversight has been provided.

Several speakers tied their comments to recent elections and local governance, with one speaker, Samantha Good, congratulating newly elected officials and criticizing board members for past conduct; another, Bethany O'Neil, celebrated election outcomes for library supporters. Those remarks were delivered during the general public-comment period and reflect public sentiment about recent local political contests.

Ending: The board did not take formal action on the audit requests during the meeting. Speakers said they would continue to press the board in future meetings for answers and corrective measures.