Auditors from Brown, Jake & McDaniels told the Newport City Council that the city’s fiscal-year 2024 financial statements received an unmodified (clean) opinion and that the audit disclosed no material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, or findings in compliance testing for major federal programs.

Frank, the lead auditor, said the audit covered both government-wide (accrual) and fund-based statements and included single-audit procedures for federal programs such as ESSER funds. He said auditors proposed a small number of journal entries that city staff posted and that there were no disagreements with management about applying auditing standards.

On the city’s fiscal health, the auditor said the general fund grew year-over-year by roughly $1.1 million and described the city’s fund-balance position as strong and above typical healthy ranges. Council members noted the city’s rainy-day funds helped speed recovery after recent flood expenses.

Mayor Roland Dykes and City Administrator James Fincher thanked finance staff for their work; no council member raised questions about the audit or requested further action. The auditor urged members to read the accompanying compliance and internal-control reports in the back of the packet for additional details.