County administrator details budget update, audit findings and cybersecurity steps

The county administrator told the Crow Wing County Board that the budget committee will receive an updated recommendation at its 10:00 a.m. meeting, and that staff are preparing materials for the board to review.

He said the county “had 4 findings in our audit this year, mainly around documentation for the most part,” and emphasized that staff must document suspension-and-debarment checks for vendors associated with federal-dollar contracts before payments or contract execution. “So kind of a refresher for all of our senior managers as well as for our business managers also,” the administrator said.

The administrator also reported that senior managers discussed cybersecurity in light of recent news about a ransomware attack elsewhere and that the IT department will bring policy changes forward to address vulnerabilities. He described a foundational leadership training program for newly promoted supervisors to help prepare internal candidates for success.

Board members were invited to ask questions; the administrator said he had nothing further but was happy to follow up. The budget update and related recommendations will be presented at the budget committee meeting later that morning.