Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Finance Audit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Avery County board accepts clean audit, approves series of grant-funded budget amendments
Summary
Avery County commissioners accepted a clean audit for the year ending June 30, 2024, and unanimously approved multiple budget amendments and grant recognitions totaling more than $600,000 to support disaster recovery, senior services, EMS and E911 improvements.
Avery County commissioners on March 3 accepted a clean annual audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, and approved a batch of budget amendments to record grants and reimbursements tied to recovery and county services.
Tara Fenner of Blackburn, Childers & Steagall, PLC presented the audit and said, “Avery County had a clean audit for the year ending June 30, 2024,” reporting a total governmental net position of $83,822,520 and a $9,474,351 increase in net position driven by improved revenue collection and capital projects. The board voted 5-0 to accept the audit following the presentation.
Finance Officer Caleb Hogan presented a slate of budget amendments the board approved unanimously. The amendments included: a $145,000 Emergency Management Capacity Building Competitive grant to purchase a generator for the Avery County Senior Center; $355,000 in state Disaster Energy Funding allocated to County Energy Assistance Program; $31,995 from the High Country Council of Governments to purchase a walk-in freezer trailer for Senior Services; $2,272.43 for My Senior Center software and equipment; $30,000 from the North Carolina Community Foundation for EMS Hurricane Helene recovery; $20,000 in state rental assistance for Social Services; $31,571 in insurance reimbursements to replace four damaged Senior Services vehicles (funding one new vehicle); and $17,734.50 from the E911 fund balance to purchase furniture for the E911 Communications Center.
“The grants will allow us to address immediate recovery-related needs and replace lost equipment,” Hogan said during the presentation. Each amendment was adopted by a 5-0 vote.
The board also approved routine finance items: the February 2025 tax collections report showing $525,189.22 in collections and releases of $316.57, and a report on property sales. The board appointed members to a Special Board of Equalization and Review and named Edith Traver chair of that panel.
The board’s acceptance of the audit and the recorded grant awards set the financial framework for recovery work and capital purchases tied to the county’s fiscal year 2024 results. The board adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
