Meriwether County audit shows clean opinion and $1.83 million unassigned surplus; board to review options

Will Derzis of Mauldin & Jenkins presented Meriwether County’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2025, reporting an unmodified (clean) audit opinion and an overall net position of about $40 million.

Derzis told the Board the government‑wide statements show roughly $46 million in total assets and $5.8 million in total liabilities, with about $18 million representing net investment in capital assets, $5 million restricted, and about $17 million unrestricted and available for use. He reported a positive change in net position of approximately $2.9 million for the year.

At the fund level, Finance Director Tammy Lackey and the auditors reported General Fund revenues of about $23 million (a $2 million increase from the prior year) and expenditures of about $20 million. The General Fund balance rose by about $1.66 million to $16,074,703, of which $13,866,144 is unassigned.

County Administrator John Gorton and auditors explained how the Board’s six‑month operating reserve requirement is calculated against the current budget ($24,073,332), resulting in a required reserve of $12,036,661. Subtracting that reserve from the unassigned balance yields $1,829,483 in unassigned, uncommitted funds the auditors identified as available for Board discretion.

Derzis also noted three audit findings for the year: (1) a repeat finding on segregation of duties in smaller entities and some elected offices due to limited staffing, (2) capital asset completeness issues including previously unreported land and additional adjustments discovered during testing, and (3) an omitted year‑end entry for tipping fees in the Water and Sewer Fund. He said auditors issued the required Yellow Book compliance report and that there were no disagreements with management, no significant difficulties, and that required representations were received.

The auditors provided management recommendations such as timely deposits by Probate Court, adopting a budget for the Sheriff’s drug forfeiture fund, reviewing Industrial Development Authority expenditures, and a reclassification entry for airport authority capital assets. Derzis emphasized these as recommendations for improvement rather than formal corrective actions with mandated submission deadlines.

Commissioners asked follow‑up questions about timing and next steps. Commissioner Adam Worsley confirmed the Board will discuss possible uses of the available funds at a May 11 work session; County Administrator Gorton confirmed the surplus figures and the meeting date. No formal appropriation or reallocation was made at the April 28 meeting.

The audit report is available in full on the County’s website; the Board asked staff to include the subject on the May 11 work session agenda so commissioners can consider options for the unassigned surplus.