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Port of Arlington told to resolve missing audits after secretary of state notice
Summary
Gilliam County Court reviewed a Secretary of State letter notifying the county the Port of Arlington failed to file audit reports for fiscal years 2022–23 and 2023–24. Port officials said they have engaged a new auditor and are coordinating with the Secretary of State to correct the delinquency.
County officials told the Gilliam County Court they received a Secretary of State notice that the Port of Arlington had not filed audit reports for fiscal years 2022–23 and 2023–24, a lapse that triggers a statutory corrective process.
Judge and staff members presented a letter received Aug. 26 from the Secretary of State notifying the county and the port that required audit reports were not available in the state’s filing system. The letter, and attached Oregon Revised Statutes, outline steps the county may need to take if the port does not remedy the delinquency.
Jed Crowther, speaking for the Port of Arlington, told the court the port immediately contacted the Secretary of State, retained a new auditor and provided the county and state with an action plan. “We immediately contacted secretary of state, our auditor, and the county to try and sync, action plan to to resolve these issues,” Crowther said.
Port officials said they contracted a new auditor in 2022 after staffing turnover; the auditor has requested documents and the port expects the first overdue audit to be completed by October. The port also said it will participate in biweekly check-ins with the auditor and will copy the Secretary of State on communications.
Why it matters: County staff noted that state statute provides a formal process for delinquent reporting that can include hearings and, in extreme cases, dissolution of the special district if filings are not corrected. County counsel is reviewing the required steps and will advise the court on whether a public hearing must be scheduled.
Court members asked for written confirmation from the Secretary of State on the plan; the port said it had received encouraging initial communications and will forward the state’s emails to the court.
Ending: The port and county agreed to continue coordinated follow-up. County staff said they would notify the court if counsel advises that a public hearing or additional statutory actions are required.
