Auditor warns of impact‑fee reporting and long‑term debt choices; lists three county loans

Auditor Allison McCoy told the commission on Nov. 12 that the auditor’s office serves as the county’s finance officer and plays a key role in budget preparation, internal auditing and property-tax administration.

Debt and financing: McCoy listed three active loans: the airport loan with a remaining payoff of about $263,000 (annual payment ~$15,000), a jail bond due in 2037 with an optional call in December 2027 and an indicated interest rate of about 4 percent, and a loan associated with the Peak project with roughly 5 percent interest and an optional call in 2031. McCoy said paying off the airport loan early is possible but depends on cash flow and call provisions.

Impact‑fee reporting: The auditor warned that Utah rules require impact fees to be well‑documented and tied to specific projects; if the county cannot demonstrate a fee’s project tie within seven years it must refund the payer. McCoy urged a careful revision of impact‑fee reports so fees can be used efficiently and not become repayable liabilities.

General fund transfers: McCoy explained that some revenues and expenses are managed centrally (general administration) and that general-fund transfers to other funds (for example, to the aging fund) will be finalized in the budget-approved allocations.

Recreation special service district: McCoy noted the county transfers $150,000 annually from mineral-lease funds to the recreation special service district, which then issues grants according to its board.

Next steps: Commissioners asked follow-up questions about payoff timing and the possibility of refinancing; no final action was taken and McCoy said staff would continue to model options for the upcoming budget decision.