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Baker County commissioners press clerk and sheriff to meet March 31 audit deadline after state warning
Summary
At a Feb. 18 commission meeting, commissioners said overdue fiscal-year audits for 2022–23 put the county at risk of state sanctions and possible revenue withholding; the clerk and sheriff’s office reported recent submissions and pledged faster follow-up so auditors can meet a March 31 deadline set by the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee.
Baker County commissioners demanded rapid action on overdue financial reports on Feb. 18 after county staff learned the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee had flagged the county and set a March 31 deadline for outstanding audit material.
Commissioner Jimmy Bennett said the county was in “a very difficult and bad position” because the FY 2022–23 audit remained incomplete and warned that failing to meet the committee’s deadline could trigger sanctions and state revenue withholding. “We gotta be off that list,” Bennett said.
Clerk Harvey told the board the clerk’s office had provided its documents to the auditors and that some other constitutional officers also must submit material. Harvey told commissioners, “I have nothing outstanding,” as to the clerk’s portion and said the clerk’s office had supplied items to the audit firm Feb. 17.
Representatives of the sheriff’s office said their portion remained incomplete but was close. A sheriff’s office staff member, Jeffrey, who described himself as a former county finance employee currently assisting the office, said he had provided large parts of the requested material and expected the sheriff’s portion to be finished within days. Undersheriff Randy told the board: “We will make sure this is right. This will be done by next week.”
Ben, an accountant with the county’s auditors who joined the meeting by phone, said the auditors had received additional items last week and would process submissions as quickly as staffing and the required reconciliation work allowed. He told the board the auditors would “work through it as fast as we can” but cautioned that significant follow-ups are typical when auditors reconcile trial balances and supporting schedules.
Several commissioners expressed frustration with recurring delays. Commissioner Chris Doolin, speaking later in the meeting as a regional partner, and others urged a written action plan and closer, daily coordination so the county can produce the audit by the JLAC-imposed deadline. Doolin also suggested outside oversight or temporary help if needed.
The board asked for a written timeline and status update to be delivered to commissioners before the end of the week and for an action plan showing concrete next steps and responsible staff. The sheriff and clerk both committed to intensifying efforts to clear outstanding items so the auditors can finalize the FY 2022–23 report and submit it to the state by March 31.
