Auditor: Bonner County financial statements materially correct; recommends staff training on accounting system

Jordan Swigart, an auditor with Swigart, John and Associates, told Bonner County commissioners on Wednesday that the county's financial statements for the year ended Sept. 30, 2024, "in our opinion, they're materially correct." He presented highlights from the audit and answered commissioners' questions about fund balances, long-term obligations and internal controls.

The audit shows combined governmental funds ending the year with about $31.9 million in cash. The general fund held roughly $4.53 million; the Justice Fund about $9.2 million; Road and Bridge just under $8.2 million; grants about $242,000; and the ambulance (EMS) fund about $688,000. The solid-waste proprietary fund ended the year with about $8.1 million in cash, and the county's self-insurance (medical/dental) funds had about $2.5 million.

The auditor summarized year-over-year changes: the general fund reserve decreased by roughly $3.8 million; the Justice Fund increased by about $1.8 million; Road and Bridge increased about $2.7 million; grants decreased $368,000; the ambulance fund decreased about $1.3 million; and other funds collectively…