Grand County, Utah, is set to enhance its audit process following a recent meeting of the Audit Committee held on October 1, 2025. The committee discussed the upcoming audit schedule and the associated costs, emphasizing the importance of efficiency in the audit process.

During the meeting, it was confirmed that the audit for Grand County will not be conducted all at once, with fieldwork planned for February for Canyonlands Care Center and similar timelines for other component units. The audit firm, which has worked with the county for the past three years, indicated that their familiarity with the county's operations would help streamline the audit process and potentially reduce costs.

The committee addressed a proposed fee increase of 3 to 3.5 percent for the audit services from 2025 to 2028, which is standard practice to account for inflation. Notably, the single audit required for federal compliance is included in the overall audit fee, which was clarified during discussions to ensure transparency in costs.

John, a representative from the audit firm, highlighted areas for improvement in the county's audit process. He recommended that the county finance staff receive training to handle more tasks internally, which would eliminate delays caused by reliance on an outside consultant. This change could significantly speed up the audit timeline and enhance overall efficiency.

The meeting also touched on ongoing discussions with the state auditor regarding the interpretation of allowable costs under the TRT (Transient Room Tax) reporting. John expressed concerns that the state auditor's guidelines were not aligned with existing codes, leading to confusion and potential misinterpretations. He indicated that these discussions would continue, as clarity on these issues is crucial for future audits.

As Grand County prepares for its upcoming audits, the committee's focus on efficiency and clarity in communication with auditors is expected to lead to a smoother process and better financial oversight for the community. The next steps will involve implementing the recommended changes and continuing dialogue with state auditors to resolve outstanding issues.