Finance director reports FY23 audit still open; committee discusses claims, attorney fees and tracking for potential Ameren reimbursement

The county finance staff reported that the FY23 audit remains open and that the FY24 audit will not start until FY23 is completed; staff said they aim to present audit materials next month. The finance staff is also developing a clearer budget calendar for the summer to improve planning.

Committee members discussed the claims list and raised questions about where certain legal and project costs are being charged. Members asked for a ledger or sub‑account to capture legal costs and other expenses related to an Ameren substation/camera project so that the county can identify and later seek reimbursement from Ameren.

One member said legal work performed by the county’s contracted attorney should be easy to identify but asked staff to ensure all associated expenses (surveys, outside contractors, postage) are captured in a way that allows quick aggregation when billing Ameren. Staff responded that legal fees and contingency are budget lines under the county board and that nonlegal project costs would likely come from the contingency or unexpected expense line and recommended creating a clear ledger or sub‑account to collect those costs.

The committee also reviewed a finance snapshot report comparing recent months and noted the county’s general fund budget shows a negative budgetary balance after December because major property‑tax revenues arrive later in the year; staff emphasized this is a budgetary timing issue rather than an immediate cash‑balance shortfall. Staff told members they will provide the standard receivable/balance report from the auditor’s office for the full financial picture ahead of the board meeting.