Auditor gives Commerce a clean FY2025 opinion; council tables formal acceptance to review

Brooks Watson & Co. audit manager Melody Chamish told the Commerce City Council that the FY2025 financial statements received an unmodified (clean) opinion, describing the result as the highest level of assurance auditors can issue. "We did issue an unmodified clean opinion," Chamish said while summarizing the audit process and the report's key findings.

Chamish walked the council through highlights: the city recorded a $2.3 million increase in capital projects funds due to bond issuance, the general fund experienced a $215,000 decrease in fund balance, and the city maintains about 34% in unassigned general fund balance (approximately 124 days, above the policy minimum). She also noted the water and sewer proprietary fund remains self‑sustaining with a positive operating result.

Although the audit included a short communication on internal controls, Chamish told the council most prior findings were cleared this year. "Almost everything we pointed out last year, the city addressed and cleared up," she said.

Councilmembers requested additional time to review the full report before acting on the resolution accepting the audit. A motion to table acceptance until council had time to study the materials carried on an oral voice vote.

What happens next: staff will place the audit acceptance resolution back on a future agenda after council members have had time to review the report and accompanying communication letters from the auditors.