Walton County commissioners voted unanimously to accept the county's fiscal year 2025 audit after a presentation by Ryan Jones, a partner with Malden and Jenkins, who said the firm issued an unmodified — or clean — opinion on the county's financial statements.

Jones told the board the audit followed government auditing standards and said, "Our audit opinion was unmodified, meaning a clean opinion." He added the auditors relied on other firms' work for the Walton County Health Department, which is audited separately.

The audit presentation outlined recent financial trends and the county's key metrics: general‑fund revenue in FY25 was about $91.9 million and expenditures about $73.4 million, compared with FY24 revenue of $86.6 million and expenditures of $70.6 million. Jones said taxes comprise roughly 82% of general‑fund revenue and public safety represents about 40% of general‑fund expenditures. The auditor reported the county's unassigned general‑fund balance at June 30, 2025, was $82.3 million, roughly 112% of the general‑fund expenditures for the year.

Jones also reviewed three matters the audit flagged. First, costs incurred under a state ARPA grant for water infrastructure — about $3.5 million — had been expended but the county had not recorded the receivable for the state reimbursement in the proper fiscal year; the item was adjusted in the statements. Second, approximately $4.3 million of capital costs in the ARPA fund related to water and sewer work were not capitalized on subledgers and required reclassification so the costs are reflected as assets rather than immediate expenses. Third, the Tax Commissioner custodial fund required a restatement after auditors found roughly $2.3 million of outstanding checks had been recorded at June 30, 2024, though they were not paid until July 2024; the custodial fund's net position was reestablished to zero, consistent with the fund's fiduciary role.

Jones noted upcoming GASB pronouncements that will affect disclosures and management's discussion and analysis and offered optional advisory services, including operational reviews and cybersecurity assessments.

After questions from commissioners about online access to the statements and clarification of the ARPA adjustments, the board moved and seconded a motion to accept the audit. The motion passed by voice vote with all members voting in favor.

The county manager and staff will maintain the published financial statements and incorporate the auditors' recommendations into future reporting and internal controls work.