The Grand County Audit Committee voted Jan. 9 to approve an engagement letter with audit firm Richie May after discussing start dates, materials deadlines and how component-unit audits will be coordinated to meet the county's June 30 filing deadline.

Committee members pressed auditors for firm delivery dates for key preparatory materials so on-site field work can be efficient. "We expect to begin our audit on approximately 04/13/2026," the auditor said, and the committee proposed a materials deadline of April 10 to 13 so auditors can arrive with trial balances and supporting schedules ready for testing. The auditor offered to provide a high-level prepared-by-client (PBC) list immediately and said earlier delivery of trial balances would help the firm select supporting schedules in advance.

The discussion focused on capacity and sequencing: several component units have separate audits and some are already under contract with other firms, which could affect timing. Committee members and component-unit representatives debated whether a single auditor could complete the county and all component-unit work in time; attendees noted some component units already approved joining the county engagement while others would need to coordinate with their boards or existing contracts.

Committee members worked backward from the full-commission meeting date to set internal deadlines: the commission's June 16 meeting is the target for presenting the audited draft to the full body, and the audit committee identified the week of June 812 as the likely slot to review the county draft. The auditor requested two weeks to review a full draft and the committee proposed May 18 as a practical target to give the audit committee time to consider changes before the June meeting.

The committee also discussed a small fee-sharing incentive the county had previously authorized to reduce costs for special service districts; the chair referenced minutes indicating a $7,500 cost with $2,500 covered, leaving $5,000 for SSDs. SSD representatives said they had not all seen those details and welcomed the clarification.

After agreeing to circulate contact lists for component-unit liaisons and to send the PBC list and firm deadlines by email, a motion to approve the Richie May engagement letter was made and seconded. The chair called the vote; members responded "Aye," and the engagement letter was approved.

Votes at a glance:
- Approve minutes from Dec. 5, 2025: motion moved and seconded; passed (unanimous).
- Approve engagement letter with Richie May: motion moved and seconded; passed (unanimous).

What happens next: the auditor will provide a PBC list and a contact point; the parties will target delivering trial balances and core documents by April 10 so auditors can begin on-site work around April 13. The audit committee intends to review a near-final draft by mid-May so the commission can receive materials at its June 16 meeting in time for filings due June 30.