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City auditor issues clean opinion; Stoughton posts healthy fund balance and debt metrics
Summary
Baker Tilly presented a clean (unmodified) opinion on Stoughton’s 2025 financials, reporting a net increase in general fund balance, an unassigned fund balance of about $4.1 million (31.7% of expenses), and general obligation debt at roughly 50% of the state statutory limit.
Baker Tilly presented the city of Stoughton’s 2025 audit at the June 23 council meeting and issued an unmodified (clean) opinion covering the 2025 financial statements.
“We were able to issue an unmodified opinion,” Andrea Jansen of Baker Tilly told council members. The audit showed the general fund increased by about $530,000 for the year, leaving an unassigned fund balance near $4.1 million, or roughly 31.7% of general fund expenditures — above the top end of the city’s policy target (25%).
The audit packet also reported general obligation debt of about $53.4 million, placing the city at approximately 50% of the state statutory debt limit. Baker Tilly noted that part of the city’s debt relates to utility funds and that utility revenue debt is accounted for separately.
Audit highlights and staff recommendations were accepted and the council adopted R96 (2026) acknowledging receipt of the audit report and management letter. Alder Butler moved the resolution and it was seconded and approved by voice vote.
What happens next: staff and auditors suggested council consider long-range plans if it chooses to spend down fund balance, and to monitor debt service relative to capital plans.
