Bradley County audit committee adopts determinations, affirms auditors'independence

The Bradley County Audit Committee voted unanimously to adopt three required committee determinations addressing the county's audited financial statements, handling of repeat findings and the independence and competence of the independent auditor.

Committee members first adopted language finding that the financial statements "appear to be fairly presented and free of material misstatement," after a brief presentation praising the overall cleanliness of the audit and noting a single finding unrelated to the finance department. A motion to adopt the language was placed on the floor and seconded; members voted "I" in favor with no recorded opposition.

Mr. Blake, addressing the single audit finding tied to the clerk/master's office, described the issue as an operational banking change for custodial accounts for juvenile minors and said it had been addressed before the finding issued. "I don't even see that as a finding, mayor," Mr. Blake said, adding that the matter involved moving a certificate of deposit to an institution willing to work with minors who lacked Social Security numbers.

A second motion asked the committee to determine whether repeat findings indicate management lacks the desire or ability to correct issues; that motion was also adopted after a second. The committee then moved to the third required determination and unanimously found that the independent auditor appeared independent of county management and performed the audit in compliance with generally accepted auditing standards.

Committee members discussed the scope and intensity of county audits during the meeting, noting that state auditors and the independent auditor work across departments (schools, sheriff's department, road department) and that an engagement letter had been signed in March to support work through November. One committee member said the county is "audited to death," and another noted the county pays roughly $48,000 a year for independent audit services.

No public communications were offered during the meeting. With the determinations adopted, the committee moved on from the audit item and adjourned the meeting.

The committee did not set any new policy in this meeting; the actions recorded were committee determinations required by auditing standards and county procedures.