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City audit returns unmodified opinion; single-audit cites late ELC reports
Summary
Independent auditors issued an unmodified opinion on Columbia's 2024 financial statements but noted repeated late filings for an Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity grant and recommended a filing policy; auditors flagged no disagreements with management.
City auditors on March 17 told the Columbia City Council they issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the City of Columbia's fiscal year 2024 financial statements and on several federally funded programs, while noting a repeat compliance finding on one grant.
The audit team from AGH told council members the unmodified opinion indicates the city's financial statements fairly present the entity's financial position and that auditors did not identify significant unusual transactions or unresolved misstatements. Jonathan Nybarger, an AGH officer who oversaw the audit, also said auditors found no disagreements with management during the engagement.
The audit included a single-audit of federal expenditures because the city spent more than $750,000 in federal funds. AGH reported unmodified opinions on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) SLFRF award and other grants, but it repeated a finding for the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) grant. The auditors said one quarterly ELC report was not filed and three were filed late in fiscal 2024, and they recommended the city adopt a policy to ensure timely grant reporting.
Auditors also described audit adjustments (interest receivable, capital asset entries in water, electric and sanitary funds) that the firm did not consider material but nonetheless reported. AGH warned about cyber and electronic fund transfer fraud risks as a best-practice note and offered additional policy-review services.
Council members asked staff how the city will prevent repeat late filings. Matthew Creech, finance director, said the city has implemented a backup process for grant reporting and that he serves as a backup filer when grant administrators are unavailable.
The presentation concluded without a formal vote; the audit report will be included in the city's official records and transmitted to federal grantors as required.
