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Legislative committee orders operational audit of Baker County finances
Summary
The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee voted unanimously to direct the Auditor General to perform an operational audit of Baker County after county commissioners and the clerk outlined longstanding late filings and system access concerns.
The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee voted to direct the Auditor General to perform an operational audit of Baker County's financial operations after county leaders described repeatedly late audits and system-access disputes.
Commissioner James Bennett, speaking for the Baker County Board of County Commissioners, told the committee that nine of the last 10 county audits had been submitted late and that the board lacked confidence in the ability of the county finance office to produce timely reports. Bennett acknowledged a recent hire of a new finance director but said that turnover did not explain the multi-year pattern of late filings and asked the committee for oversight to restore routine reporting.
Joe Foreman, attorney for Clerk Stacy Harvey, said the clerk supports an audit but disagrees with the board's stated rationale and requested a countywide operational audit that would include all constitutional officers. Foreman told the committee litigation is pending in the Eighth Judicial Circuit and that the clerk had sought expedited conflict-resolution under chapter 164.
Clerk Stacy Harvey, who testified in person, said she has been the clerk for about 10 years and described the county finance system implemented with ARPA funds in 2022. She reported intermittent lockouts from the county server during evening reconciliation periods and said the clerk's office aims to complete monthly reconciliations within the first 10 days after month-end.
Senator Trudeau moved the audit request; during brief debate Senator Pizzo urged auditors to review password and access controls and noted concerns raised about outside consultants. On the committee roll call the motion passed unanimously (recorded 9'0). The Auditor General was directed to finalize the audit scope while considering concerns raised by both the commissioners and the clerk.
The committee's action requires the Auditor General to determine the detailed audit scope and report back under the office's normal procedures.
