Natchitoches audit shows "clean" opinion; council tables next year's budget for more review

Jessica Broadway, the auditor presenting the City of Natchitoches' audit for the year ended May 31, 2025, told the council the city received an "unmodified or clean opinion on the city's primary government financial statements," noting a presentation issue related to exclusion of legally separate component units but no major audit or compliance findings.

"Overall, the city remains in a stable financial position," Broadway said, and summarized the audit's key figures as reported to the council. Council members praised the finance department: "Miss Clarissa Brown Smith and her team, they are doing a phenomenal job with the city's money," the mayor said.

Council members then turned to the proposed fiscal-year 2026–27 budget introduced by Councilwoman Smith Kuykendahl. The ordinance was presented by the finance director and discussed in detail; councilmembers expressed appreciation for the work done but signaled the need for additional time to review the volume of materials. Council voted to table the budget to allow further review and to schedule one-on-one meetings between council members and the finance director.

The council's motion to table carried on a roll call vote. City staff said the proposed budget and summary are available for public inspection at City Hall; councilmembers discussed potentially making the draft available online to increase transparency.

What happens next: the tabling delays final adoption to a future meeting after additional review and scheduled follow-ups between council members and staff.