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External auditor gives Harrison County an unmodified opinion for FY2021–22
Summary
An external auditor told Harrison County commissioners the 2021–22 financial statements earned an unmodified opinion, citing improved net position, strong cash balances and pension performance; the court asked questions about compensated absences and accepted the audit presentation.
John Manning of Patillo, Brown & Hill told the Harrison County Commissioner Court on July 17 that the firm issued an unmodified opinion on the county's financial statements for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2022, the highest level of assurance an external auditor can give. "We were able to offer an unmodified opinion," Manning said, and described the opinion as countywide rather than limited to the auditor's office.
Manning highlighted key figures from the audit: net position rose from about $22 million to roughly $28 million; cash and cash equivalents accounted for about $31 million of the balance sheet; the general fund balance was about $15.4 million and the road and bridge fund about $2.1 million. He told commissioners that approximately $8.8 million of liabilities were recorded as "unearned revenue" related to federal COVID funds that the county has received but is holding under government accounting rules until spent.
Manning also described a favorable pension outcome driven by investment returns at TCDRS, noting the county's pension position shifted from a $3.2 million liability to a $6.7 million asset. "You're about 110% overfunded, which is great," he said, adding the number fluctuates with investment performance.
Commissioners asked about "compensated absences" and whether that liability was growing. Manning said the change in policy to stop accruing comp time will be reflected in the 2023 report and should reduce the balance going forward. He also said a previously submitted federal report had been corrected and refiled; auditors flagged the amendment as a significant efficiency rather than a material weakness.
The court received the presentation and had no further formal action on the audit itself during the meeting. The full audit report and the management discussion and analysis were provided to commissioners as part of the auditor's presentation.
