Audit shows county’s finances are solid

The annual audit of Washington County’s finances for fiscal year 2018 showed a positive bottom line. 

 In a short presentation to  county commissioners on Feb. 25, auditor Kurt Folke, with Quest CPAs, went over the financial statements of the county and the separate ambulance district.

 Folke said the county ended the fiscal year on a positive note to the tune of $105,352. The figure represents the difference between county revenues and expenditures for FY 2018 in the general fund. The money was added to the fund balance to build reserves.

 There were a couple of county funds that spent more than they received in revenues for the fiscal year, but all had positive ending fund balances, Folke said. 

 The general fund had revenues of $2.1 million, including $1.48 million in property taxes. The fund spent $2 million during the fiscal year and ended up with a net change to the positive of $105,357. The general fund ended the fiscal year with a balance of $1.39 million.

 Folke said the county has reserves equal to eight months of operating costs, which is more than the recommended six months. 

 Auditors also gave the Weiser Ambulance District a clean bill of financial health for the fiscal year 2018.

 Folke presented the audit to the ambulance district board after the county audit. County commissioners also serve as the ambulance district board of directors.

 The audit’s bottom line showed the ambulance district received more in revenue in FY 2018 than it spent to provide services. The fiscal year ended on Sept. 30, 2018. 

 The district received $845,637 in total operating revenue. Of that, $601,425 came in the form of fees for ambulance services. Another $242,770 was raised through tax revenues. 

 On the expense side, personnel costs came in at $527,090, with goods and services adding $185,270. With $54,590 in depreciation, operating expenses totaled $766,950.

 The ambulance district received $145,000 in grant income. The change in net position was a positive $151,921.

 Folke noted the district received a grant that purchased a new ambulance. If not for the grant, the district would have been real close to breaking even.

 Ambulance board member and county commissioner Kirk Chandler said he was pleased with the audits.

 “It’s nice that we’re in good fiscal shape. It’s nice to be able to report that to our taxpayers,” he said.