Maize receives clean 2025 audit; staff reports roughly $22 million unencumbered cash and $90.97 million in outstanding debt

Barney and Associates presented the 2025 audit to the Maize City Council on June 1, reporting an unmodified (clean) opinion on the city's financial statements and no proposed audit adjustments. The auditors said they reviewed internal controls and did not note any instances of management override during the audit process.

The audit presentation included fund-level totals and reconciled cash positions. Auditors reported that the city began the year with about $23,651,000, collected nearly $25,000,000 in receipts, expended $26.6 million, and closed the year with approximately $22 million in ending unencumbered cash. Auditors highlighted note disclosures on capital projects and presented a debt summary: beginning-year debt roughly $86 million, about $21 million in new debt issued, $17 million in debt retired, and a net increase of approximately $3.8 million to reach an ending balance near $90.97 million; interest paid during the year totaled about $2.7 million.

Auditors also reported budget compliance under Kansas law, noting budgeted funds were not exceeded and a total under-budget amount of roughly $374,000. Council moved to receive and file the audit report as presented. The audit materials and governance letter were included in the council packet.