Independent auditors give Natrona County unmodified opinion but flag distribution and federal‑grant control weaknesses

Independent auditors told the Natrona County Board of County Commissioners that they issued an unmodified opinion on the county’s 2024 financial statements but identified control weaknesses and compliance matters the county should fix.

Seth Corson, audit manager for the engagement, said an unmodified (clean) opinion was issued because auditors obtained “sufficient audit evidence,” but the audit nevertheless produced reportable findings. “We were able to obtain sufficient audit evidence, to issue an opinion,” Corson said during his presentation.

The main matters auditors flagged: - Material weaknesses in the financial statement audit related to property‑tax distributions and receivable recording. Auditors reported an overdistribution to other taxing authorities stemming from changes in how ad valorem taxes are collected and applied; that resulted in some entities receiving funds twice for a month and future distributions being reduced to correct the imbalance. - Material noncompliance for timely distribution of collections: auditors found required monthly distributions (for example, ad valorem and apportioned fees) were not always distributed within the statutory timeframe during fiscal 2024 testing. - Single‑audit (federal awards) findings involving Community Action Partnership (CAP): auditors reported reconciliation issues after CAP converted accounting systems and identified an instance in the health‑care for the homeless grant of an approximately $3,000 over‑reimbursement due to timing and reporting differences.

Auditors also included management comment letters that are advisory in nature. Those comments recommended improvements to capital‑asset recording and to tracking assessor certifications and valuation changes so that certified values reconcile with amounts rolled into tax bills.

Why it matters: An unmodified opinion indicates the financial statements are presented fairly under generally accepted accounting principles, but the material weaknesses and federal‑grant findings are significant to governance because they point to internal control gaps that could affect distribution of public funds and federal compliance.

County response and next steps: Auditors said county staff are reviewing the procedures for recording ad valorem collections and distributions, evaluating the property tax software and related reports, and coordinating with the treasurer and assessor. Auditors recommended procedural changes and enhanced monitoring; county staff said they are reviewing software capabilities and will follow up.