Chilton County will withhold rural volunteer fire payments until audits are current

The Chilton County Commission voted unanimously to approve a resolution that any county checks issued to rural volunteer fire departments will be withheld until those departments’ audits are brought up to date as of Dec. 31, 2025.

Commissioners discussed the rationale for the measure, saying the county has a responsibility to protect taxpayer funds if audits are missing or overdue. One commissioner noted, “when it gets right down to it, the buck stops with us,” emphasizing the commission’s accountability if funds cannot be accounted for. Staff and commissioners clarified that incorporated or municipal departments — including Clanton, Thorsby, Jemison and Maplesville — are not part of this rural-department audit requirement because they have their own revenue streams and reporting processes.

Discussion centered on whether the county should pay for audits for departments that have fallen behind and on the limited local availability of government-certified CPAs. Commissioners reported roughly half of the rural departments had submitted audits in the last year and others had not submitted audits in two to four years. The commission noted that the applicable reviews are ‘‘review audits’’ as determined by a prior commission.

The motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously. Commissioners directed staff to ensure the policy is implemented administratively and to report back on compliance and any follow-up steps necessary to bring departments into compliance.

Next steps: staff will notify affected rural volunteer fire departments of the requirement, provide guidance on audit expectations, and report back to the commission on compliance and any financial impacts.