Town/Village auditor issues unmodified opinion, board hears financial health update

An external auditor presented the Town/Village of Harrison’s financial audit for the year ending Dec. 31, 2025, and said the statements received an “unmodified opinion,” the highest level of assurance. The auditor told the board the town’s revenues exceeded the initial budget and expenditures were below budget, contributing to a stronger fund balance.

The auditor (identified during the meeting as Rob) said the town has not exceeded the tax cap adopted in June 2011, reported a triple‑A bond rating and noted the town used some fund balance for capital improvements rather than borrowing. He called out roughly $34,000,000 in capital spending in 2025 and recommended monitoring several items, including operations at Harrison Meadows Country Club and medical claims under the town’s self‑insured health plan, which he said had “skyrocketed.”

The auditor said the town’s operating results were “very favorable” and thanked Controller Maureen McKenzie and her finance team for cooperation during the audit process. Board members responded with brief thanks; the presentation did not include detailed line‑item numbers in the hearing because those had been reviewed with the finance staff earlier.

Why it matters: A clean audit generally signals that a municipality’s financial statements are presented fairly under generally accepted accounting principles, which can affect borrowing costs and public confidence. Board members said the unmodified opinion will help shape the 2027 budget work.

The board did not take any formal vote tied to the audit presentation. The meeting moved from the audit into the consent and personnel portions of the agenda.