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Catawba County approves FY2025-26 audit contract with Martin Starnes & Associates
Summary
At its April 6 meeting the Catawba County Board of Commissioners approved a contract with Martin Starnes & Associates to perform the county's FY2025-26 audit, a deal not to exceed $129,215 that includes an estimated ten major program compliance reviews.
The Catawba County Board of Commissioners voted April 6 to approve a contract with Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs, P.A. to perform the county's fiscal year 2025-26 financial audit in an amount not to exceed $129,215.
Assistant County Manager Paul Murray presented the contract as part of the consent agenda, telling the board staff issued a request for proposals on Feb. 3 and the evaluation committee selected Martin Starnes & Associates based on firm qualifications, audit approach and references. The recommended contract sets the base audit fee at $93,215 and estimates additional charges of $4,500 for each major program beyond the first two; staff estimates about ten major programs for FY2025-26, which yields the $129,215 not-to-exceed total included in the contract.
The county cited North Carolina General Statute 159-34, which requires local governments to have annual audits and to submit the audit to the Local Government Commission. The engagement letter and LGC contract included customary audit scope language, responsibilities for management, required reporting timelines (audit filed within six months of fiscal year end unless otherwise explained) and notification that the LGC must approve audit contracts and invoices.
The contract packet in the meeting material included the firm's engagement letter, a peer review letter (peer-review rating "pass"), the LGC's LGC-205 contract forms and fee schedule. The contract requires the auditor to audit financial statements in accordance with GAAS and to perform any single-audit procedures required under federal and state rules.
The consent agenda motion to approve the items, moved by Chair Randy Isenhower, carried unanimously. The contract will be executed and submitted to the Local Government Commission for approval; no additional appropriation was required because budgeted funds were already in place.
The county expects the firm to audit all fund statements and required disclosures, communicate significant governance matters to the Board, and present audited financial statements to the governing board or audit committee as required by rule.
