The Grand County Audit Committee approved the Aug. 18 minutes unanimously at its Sept. 30 meeting and discussed how to improve agenda preparation, meeting scheduling and follow-up responsibilities. Members agreed to set an early-December meeting to handle year‑end items and to schedule quarterly meetings for 2026.

Committee members said clearer calendar planning and a designated contact for agenda items would help ensure timely public notice and fuller participation. Commissioner Winfield and other members offered to coordinate agenda drafts with staff so notice deadlines are met. Karen Curtin and county administration were asked to confirm whether consulting engagements (notably with Squire) will continue; members said any consulting firm that remains involved in year‑end close should not also be hired as the external auditor because of independence concerns.

Nut graf: the committee discussed two recurring procedural matters — ensuring agendas are assembled and noticed on time, and confirming who will provide year‑end consulting services if the committee recommends a different audit firm — and set a tentative next meeting for early December to align schedules and follow up on outstanding items.

Key procedural items and assignments
Committee members asked staff to: confirm whether the county will terminate or continue the existing consulting arrangement with Squire (the consulting firm that has assisted with year‑end close), confirm availability and likely participation of the county's component units in any bundled audit engagement, and assemble a list of standing committee duties (for example, reviewing external-auditor engagement letters prior to field work).

Meeting scheduling
The committee agreed to schedule a follow-up meeting in early December (first week) and to use quarterly meeting dates in 2026 to avoid repeated ad-hoc special meetings. Members asked staff to add the auditor engagement‑letter review to the March meeting agenda so the committee can review the final engagement letter before field work begins.

Ending: Committee members emphasized that setting a regular cadence and clarifying responsibilities for agenda preparation will reduce last‑minute scheduling and help ensure the county meets reporting deadlines.