City auditors from Pervis Gray and Company reported a clean, unmodified opinion on the City of St. Cloud's fiscal‑year 2023–24 financial statements, and the City Council voted to accept the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).

Audit director Matthew Guneau told the council the city had received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for the prior year and is expected to receive that award again for the current report. He said the firm issued a standard audit report and found no material weaknesses in internal control. The auditors did note a long‑standing compliance issue connected to "Stevens Plantation," which staff said relates to prior bond property obligations; Guneau recommended the city obtain legal assurances (a release or attorney opinion) that no contingent liabilities remain.

City staff reported they are working with bondholders’ attorneys and trustees; staff said one bondholder had recently signed off and that the city expects to resolve the matter shortly. The council accepted the ACFR on a recorded roll call vote (motion carried 5–0).

Why it matters: A clean audit opinion is the highest level of assurance for municipal financial statements, supports transparent financial management and is material to credit ratings and lender confidence. The lingering Stevens Plantation compliance item must be resolved to clear this historical issue from the report.

Detail: Auditor Guneau said federal awards spending was properly accounted for and yielded no findings under the single audit requirements. The audit also reported the city’s investment policy compliance and a clean report under Florida Statute 218.415 for investment policies. The council then approved acceptance of the ACFR.