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Muhlenberg County Board approves clean FY24 audit; trustees and auditors outline budget outlook
Summary
Board received the fiscal year 2024 audit, heard a positive fiscal health report, approved the audit, and reviewed a draft 2026 budget that factors in declining one-time ESSER funds and upcoming construction costs.
The Muhlenberg County Board of Education approved the district’s fiscal year 2024 audit and reviewed a draft budget for fiscal year 2026 during its December meeting.
Andrew, lead auditor from the district’s audit firm, presented highlights from the FY24 audit and gave the district an unmodified (clean) opinion on its financial statements and federal program testing. He noted one significant deficiency related to the timing of recording certain accounts receivable receipts across fiscal-year boundaries — a timing issue rather than a misstatement in total tax revenue. The audit team reported that school food, daycare and the general fund all ended the year in positive positions, with the general fund balance increasing by about $2.1 million to roughly $34 million and the district holding approximately eight months of general fund coverage on a monthly-expense basis.
Treasurer Bletzinger reported month-end November cash and expenditure figures to the board before the audit presentation. He described November revenues and expenditures, including construction payments and food-service purchases; the ledger balance reported in November was approximately $29.9 million with a cash close of about $18.8 million for that month.
After discussion the board voted to approve the FY24 audit as presented.
Superintendent-level staff presented a draft fiscal year 2026 budget framework. The draft includes a reduced beginning balance assumption (a $1 million reduction), a conservative estimate of SEEK/state revenues assuming a 1% reduction in average daily attendance, and a planning assumption that one-time ESSER grants will not be repeated in FY25 and beyond. The draft allocates general fund revenues (including a beginning balance) of about $63.0 million and lists major proposed expense categories such as general-fund salaries (about $28.4 million), plant operations and maintenance, transportation, and a contingency. District leaders said they are watching salary and staffing levels closely as positions previously funded by ESSER grants have ended.
Board members moved to approve the draft budget framework for presentation in the tentative budget stage. The meeting also included discussion of staffing sustainability, the impact of higher interest income and tax receipts in FY24, and a reminder that one-time construction and grant proceeds can cause year-to-year fund-balance fluctuations.
