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Finance highlights timely audit, ARPA close‑out work and capital planning needs; warns of staffing pressure
Summary
Coconino County Finance reported May 14 that staff issued the audit on schedule, implemented purchasing and contract software, and closed significant ARPA allocations while warning that vacancies and rising contractor/audit costs strain the office.
Coconino County’s Finance Department told the Board of Supervisors on May 14 that the office achieved timely audit issuance despite staffing challenges, closed substantial ARPA allocations without underspending, and implemented new procurement and contract management tools.
Siri (presenter name in transcript) introduced Finance accomplishments: a timely audit after prior delays, implementation of IonWave procurement/contract software, continued stewardship of ARPA funds (including an $27 million ARPA portfolio that the county expended by structurally reallocating eligible uses) and continued GFOA recognition for the county’s budget document (18th consecutive year). Finance emphasized federal grant compliance (uniform guidance/Code of Federal Regulations) and the team’s role in single‑audit and grant management activities.
The department repeatedly flagged capacity pressure. Finance said it currently has several vacancies — roughly four openings, representing more than 20% of staff in some units — and noted that many finance tasks (accounts payable, payroll, audits, grant compliance, statutory reporting) are recurring and cannot be deferred. To manage gaps, finance reported using experienced temporary staff where possible and noted certain cross‑training and documentation projects (desk manuals, capital asset policy updates) to reduce single‑person dependencies.
Finance also described ARPA close‑out work and explained that careful allocation and swaps kept ARPA dollars productive for identified projects, including using ARPA to cover some staff costs and avoid leaving funds unspent. Finance highlighted the Amazon Prime organizational purchasing program and a purchasing‑card rebate program as efficiency measures that generate revenue and reduce processing costs.
Ending: Finance asked supervisors for continued attention to staffing and lifecycle funding where appropriate and said it will return with consolidated capital updates and a broader discussion on expenditure‑limit strategies and timing.
