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Commission votes to pay state auditor’s added 2023 audit charges, discusses complaint options
Summary
Steele County commissioners voted to pay an $8,300-plus overage on the 2023 audit to obtain the county’s copy while discussing whether to contest the invoice or file a complaint with the attorney general; commissioners noted similar statewide concerns about the state auditor’s office.
Steele County commissioners voted on Feb. 3 to pay an additional charge related to the county’s 2023 audit after staff said the audit work exceeded the original quote and the state auditor’s office was withholding the county copy until payment.
Staff reported an extra charge of about $8,300 tied largely to federal-reporting work (FEMA-related funds) and said the amount had been broken down to reflect work for the county, the JDA and the water board. Commissioners discussed whether to dispute the bill, seek a discount, or file complaints with the attorney general’s office; staff noted similar complaints from other political subdivisions across the state.
After discussion, a motion to pay the bill was made and seconded; commissioners carried the motion so the county could receive its audit documents. Commissioners asked staff to follow up with JDA and the water board about their share of the overage and to consider escalating concerns about the state auditor’s billing practices to elected representatives or the attorney general.
Commissioners also noted audit staffing turnover at the state agency and described variability in billing practices; staff said pursuing an outside auditor could be cost-prohibitive and might not be accepted without process changes at the state level.
