City auditor gives Saginaw a clean opinion; finance director accepts GFOA budget award

Kim Quinn, Saginawfs finance director, announced the city received the Government Finance Officers Association distinguished budget presentation award for the 30th consecutive year and credited staff for preparation. Jennifer Ripka, partner at Weaver (auditor), reviewed the annual comprehensive financial report and reported an unmodified (clean) opinion on the financial statements and no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal controls. Ripka noted the city had federal financial assistance subject to single-audit rules because expenditures exceeded the applicable threshold; roughly $3 million in ARPA funds were received and expended during the fiscal year and were included in the audit.

Council members asked for clarification on what would constitute a "material weakness," and the auditor explained it would involve a significant control failure or a large-dollar error that materially affected financial statements or federal compliance. Quinn said the full report and back-up materials will be posted to the city website for public review. Council thanked finance staff for preserving transparency and asked residents with budget questions to review the ACFR posted online.