The Lewis County Government has released its annual audit report for the fiscal year concluding on June 30, 2024, revealing that a significant portion of the identified audit findings—eight out of eleven—are linked to the Lewis County School District. These findings highlight various weaknesses, deficiencies, and instances of noncompliance within the financial operations of the government. Notably, the issues identified in the school district’s audit for fiscal year 2023 have been reiterated in the latest report for fiscal year 2024, alongside four new findings that have emerged.
The audit findings associated with the school district point to several critical deficiencies, particularly in areas such as budgeting, purchasing, and accounting processes. Furthermore, the report indicates that the district has not been reconciling its accounts and records on a monthly basis, which is a significant oversight. In addition to the school district’s findings, the audit report also highlights three additional concerns related to the Offices of the County Mayor and County Clerk.
In a positive note, the Comptroller’s Office has expressed commendation for the Office of County Mayor, the Office of Road Superintendent, and the Office of Trustee. These offices have either addressed their previous audit findings or made considerable strides in improving their financial operations since the last audit, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing accountability and transparency within the county’s financial practices.