Commissioners press surveyor on corner‑fund accounting; surveyor given 30 days to respond

Chair called for a review of the auditor’s recommendations for the surveyor’s office after an audit meeting earlier in the week. Commissioners said the audit included recommendations to improve tracking between the corner fund and other funding streams and asked the surveyor to produce a plan that justifies any proposed fee increases.

Staff member summarized the board’s position and timeline: "He has 30 days to respond, and he's gonna take his 30 days." The staff presentation noted that, at the surveyor’s current rate of spending, the office has roughly seven years before reserves would be exhausted, and commissioners said they were not inclined to raise fees simply to preserve reserves without a clear plan.

The Chair said fee changes must be supported by documentation and a clear plan: "It has to be breathable, necessary, and substantiated." Commissioners said they would be willing to recommend a fee change if the surveyor presents a constructive implementation plan that addresses audit findings; otherwise the board will keep the budget aligned with audit recommendations and not make a recommendation to increase fees.

Next steps: the surveyor is expected to respond within 30 days with either a plan aligned to audit recommendations or alternative documentation; the board will review any submission before deciding whether to propose a fee change at a future meeting.