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Fox Canyon GMA approves Braun Armstrong contract for Las Posas Watermaster audits, $59,600 cap
Summary
The board authorized a three‑year contract with Brown Armstrong Accountancy Corporation to provide audit and review services for the Las Posas Valley Watermaster, not to exceed $59,600 for fiscal years 2024–2026; staff said the FY24 cost of $17,650 fits within the budgeted $20,000.
The Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency board on Jan. 22 authorized the executive officer to execute a contract with Brown Armstrong Accountancy Corporation to perform audit and review services for the Las Posas Valley Watermaster for fiscal years 2024–2026, with a not‑to‑exceed amount of $59,600.
Staff said the Las Posas adjudication judgment requires an annual audit or review of Watermaster finances—one full certified audit every three years and review engagements in the intervening years—and pointed to judgment section 7.7 in the staff presentation. Watermaster staff and county fiscal services conducted an RFP process; they mailed the request to about 30 firms but initially received no responses. After revising the RFP to cover a three‑year engagement, the agency received a single comprehensive proposal from Brown Armstrong on Jan. 10.
For fiscal year 2024 the proposal lists a cost of $17,650 for the review engagement; Watermaster staff said that line fits within the agency’s FY24 budgeted $20,000 for audit services. The contract covers a review engagement for FY24 and FY25 and a full certified audit for FY26, with a total not‑to‑exceed amount of $59,600 for the three‑year period. Staff asked the board to authorize the executive officer to sign the contract so auditors can begin work; the audit schedule is tied to the annual report submission to the Department of Water Resources and the court, with an April 1 target for the annual report.
Board members asked whether staff and the auditor believe the audit can be completed on the proposed schedule given past timeliness issues; staff said conversations with Brown Armstrong indicate confidence that the firm can complete the work. The board approved the contract by roll call.
Next steps: execute the contract and provide audit deliverables in time to incorporate audited/reviewed financials into the annual report to DWR and the court.
