Francis County officials review $54M budget and independent audit results

St. Francois County officials are sounding the alarm over a concerning trend in the county's finances, revealed during the Commission Meeting on July 7, 2025. The independent audit for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, highlighted a negative cash flow of $186,803, indicating that expenditures exceeded revenues, prompting the county to dip into cash reserves.

Amber Mongelet, the audit manager, presented the findings, emphasizing the importance of maintaining financial integrity as it directly impacts future federal and state funding. The audit, conducted by Mueller, Hoberg, Bell, and Jones, showed total assets of $17.4 million, but also revealed that the county's total expenditures surpassed its total revenue by nearly $200,000.

Mongelet noted that while the county's fiduciary funds—money held for other entities—totaled over $43 million, the net change in these funds also reflected a negative balance of $2.7 million. This discrepancy was attributed to timing issues in the turnover of collected funds.

The audit report, which has shown no findings for the sixth consecutive year, underscores the need for robust internal controls to minimize the risk of fraud and errors. However, with the current trend of overspending, officials are urged to consider budget adjustments, especially with anticipated increases in minimum wage.

As the county navigates these financial challenges, the focus will be on ensuring fiscal responsibility and preparing for potential cuts to maintain a balanced budget moving forward. The commission's commitment to transparency and accountability remains strong, as they continue to work closely with department heads and office holders to address these pressing issues.