Auditors give Lewiston an unmodified opinion on 2024 financial report; no control findings or fraud identified

Donna Alberti, the audit partner from Fresno Gage, told the Lewiston City Council on Feb. 20 that the firm issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the city—s annual comprehensive financial report for the year ended Sept. 30, 2024. "The answer is yes," Alberti said when asked whether the financial statements represent what really happened in the city's finances for the year.

The audit presentation summarized key figures in the report handed to council members: the city—s cash and investments were reported at $881,000,000; total capital assets (net of accumulated depreciation) at $237,000,000; governmental activities net position and business-type activities split with government activities showing a loss and business activities a gain for a net change of about $10,900,000. Alberti said the auditors also reported a net pension asset of roughly $17,900,000 related to police and fire retirement plans and that no funds ended the year with a negative balance.

The auditors reviewed long-term liabilities and…