Davis County fares well in 2009 audit

FARMINGTON — Davis County received a clean bill of financial health for fiscal 2009 Tuesday during the annual audit report to the County Commission.

Jeffrey L. Ambrose, a certified public accountant with Crane Christensen & Ambrose, described the county's cash and fund balances as "very healthy." "As we looked at the numbers, I was kind of amazed at how well the revenues continued to come in to the county, given the current economic situation we find ourselves in, particularly in the governmental sector," Ambrose said.

General fund revenues were down about $306,000.

"I think that indicates partly that the economy within Davis County is still fairly robust in relation to some of the other counties and other entities in the state, for revenue to only drop $306,000 in that general fund," he said.

General fund spending was up $3.2 million, mostly for public safety, and no departments overspent their budgets.

Cash balances were higher in 2009 than 2008, but Ambrose said they should be lower in 2010 and maybe into 2011.

"But even factoring that in," he said, "I think you still have nice, healthy cash balances and fund balances."

Commissioner Louenda Downs appreciated the assessment of the county's financial situation.

"You have just verified what we've known and been trying to tell everybody," Downs told Ambrose.

— Brice Wallace