Auditors give top rating to Davis

FARMINGTON — An Ogden public accounting firm has audited the Davis County books and given the county a clean financial bill of health.

Jeffrey L. Ambrose, partner in Crane, Christensen & Ambrose, told the County Commission this week the county's books get an unqualified opinion — the firm's highest rating and no deficiencies.

Tiny Davis County, with a land area of 223 square miles, is the state's third-largest in population with 256,000 residents and has a per-capita income of $26,943.

"We have a clean opinion, a nice clean audit with no management letters this year," Clerk/Auditor Steve Rawlings said. Last year the accounting firm told the commissioners and the clerk's office more accounting detail was needed in the account of the Davis Metro Narcotics Strike Force.

Rawlings said the concern was addressed and the issue became moot in January when the strike force was moved to Layton city.

He noted the county's financial position is stronger this year than last because the general fund balance was $800,000 more than what had been budgeted.

Commission Chairman Dannie McConkie said the audit shows the benefits of the county's efforts to tighten its belt by holding back pay raises, capital expenditures and hiring over the past three years. "We had cooperation from all elected officials and departments, and that all contributed to the success of the audit.

The Government Accounting Standards Board issued new accounting and reporting standards that were required to be implemented this year and changed the way the county reported assets, liabilities and fund equities, so much of the information in this year's audit is not comparable with last year's, Rawlings said.

"The new standards, in fact, will bear fruit and will benefit the public by letting them know where their money is spent," McConkie said.

However, he added, the new reporting standards, designed to make the county report its operations more like businesses do, will enable residents and officials better understand the long-term financial position of the county.

"Basically, the new rules require governments to report values of infrastructure and other assets and to depreciate them," Rawlings said.

The county has printed 200 copies of the audit for distribution to the public, and it is on the state auditor's Web site at www.sao.state.ut.us. It also can be obtained on CD.

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