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City auditors give Crowley an unmodified opinion, note two corrected findings
Summary
External auditors Slaven & Coulter presented the city's 2024 financial audit, issuing an unmodified opinion while reporting two findings (a check misappropriation and a sales-tax budget variance) that officials say have been addressed.
Slaven & Coulter LLP auditors reviewed the City of Crowley's fiscal year 2024 financial statements and issued an "unmodified opinion," the firm told the city council during the Revenue & Finance committee meeting March 10.
Auditor Rob Carter said the unmodified opinion is "the best opinion you can get on your audited financial statements." He told council members the audit is public record and is posted on the city website. Carter also summarized two findings the auditors reported: a misappropriated or altered check that cleared the bank and a budget noncompliance tied to the city's sales-tax funds.
The auditors described the first finding as a stolen or altered check that was apparently intercepted in the mail, altered, and later deposited; Carter and council members discussed an approximate amount of about $78,000 tied to that incident. Carter said the police department investigated and the city made an insurance claim that recovered about $70,000.
The second finding, labeled 2024-002 in the audit, involved a budget variance in sales-tax funds exceeding a 5% threshold. Carter said the variance represented only about $1,000 to $2,000 in the affected fund and that controls have been strengthened, including timely bank reconciliations, which helped reduce overall audit findings from nine last year to two this year.
Carter also briefed the council on the auditors' report on federal awards compliance. The auditors reported an unmodified opinion on the city's federal programs and noted the city continues to spend ARPA funds, which Carter said he expected would be spent by the end of this year or next.
Council members asked clarifying questions about the stolen/altered check and the city's controls; Carter and Mayor Chad Monso described personnel changes, improved reconciliation procedures and a continuing police investigation. "We did collect $70,000 from the insurance company," Carter said in the meeting.
The auditors closed by noting improved financial metrics across funds: combined revenues and expenditures produced a surplus for 2024 and the sewer fund had moved from a negative balance in prior years to an operating position the auditors described as healthy.
The presentation concluded with council members thanking the auditors; no formal vote was required on the audit presentation itself.
