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Residents press board on delayed audits and finance departures
Summary
During public comment at the Surry County Board meeting residents raised concerns about delayed fiscal-year audits, unexplained departures in the finance department and an unusually large final pay item; speakers urged transparency before the county proceeds with major borrowing for the YMCA.
At the start of public comment, Helen Eggleston told the board she was concerned about repeated postponements of the county audit and unexplained staffing changes in the finance office. She cited a news report that the county is carrying about $23,280,000 in debt and said two finance employees left without explanation. "He had been instructed not by legal not to speak on his departure," Eggleston said, referring to the finance director's response when contacted about his exit.
Eggleston also noted a March pay entry of $13,950.17 for the finance director that she said was more than double prior pay and asked why audits for FY2023, FY2024 and FY2025 have not been completed. Several supervisors responded in the meeting's closing remarks, with the chair saying staff and the county's financial adviser Davenport have reviewed the matter and that the county expects the audit to be complete by the end of August or early-to-mid September. The chair emphasized staff's statement that the YMCA financing "is not going to increase the tax rate of the citizens at all."
Board members acknowledged citizens' concerns and said Davenport has advised the board on the financing. The meeting record shows the board moved forward with the YMCA financing authorization despite the questions; the chair said the audit is nearly complete and will be presented to the board when finalized.
