The Stonecrest finance director presented the city’s October 2025 financial report at the Dec. 18 work session, saying year-to-date revenue totaled about $16,000,000 while year-to-date expenses were about $11,000,000, leaving the city under its projected expenditures.

Miss Grant, the finance director, told the council the city had begun to receive property tax revenue and that the insurance premium tax had come in higher than projected for the year-to-date, roughly 23.8% above the budgeted figure for that tax class. She said other-fund revenues — including the tree bank, hotel/motel receipts, SPLOST and municipal court collections and URA contributions — total $25,184,220 to date.

Grant described operating performance as efficient, noting an operating expense-to-revenue ratio of approximately 69.92% and that salary savings were a primary driver of spending being below budget. She also said the finance department is moving forward with AP automation and that procurement is hiring a purchasing specialist.

Council members used the presentation to seek specifics about internal controls and payment processes. Miss Grant explained the reimbursement and vendor payment workflow: reimbursement requests are compiled by staff and routed through departmental and finance review to payables and procurement for approval, then to the city manager for signature. Vendor invoices require a completed vendor packet and registration before payment processing. On P-card approvals, Grant said the city manager must approve and staff will route approvals to the city manager’s executive assistant when the manager is out; Deputy Michael McCoy can step in if the manager is unreachable in some circumstances.

On audit timing, staff reported the FY22 audit is "substantially complete" and that final touches were being applied before the auditor forwards materials to the mayor and city manager for final approval. Council members noted a previously communicated target date and expressed concern the audit could extend into 2026; staff said they would circulate the latest auditor correspondence to the council.

The council requested a future work-session presentation from the CAFR preparers covering FY23–FY25 status, difficulties, and timelines. The finance briefing concluded with an agreement to return related items for decision in the regular council meeting.