No deficiencies in 2024 Adams Co. audit

RITZVILLE — Adams County’s internal financial controls met the standards set by the Washington Auditor’s Office in 2024. The county’s financial procedures didn’t have any material weaknesses in 2024, according to a WSAO audit report issued Monday. 

Phillip Ventress, audit supervisor, said county officials also met the standard for major federal programs. As a result, Adams County received what is called a clean audit. 

“Which is what you want,” he said.  

Cindy Fitzporter, assistant state auditor, said during a meeting with Adams County Commissioners that audits are conducted to ensure financial statements issued by county officials are accurate and can be trusted.  

Brad White, the lead auditor, said auditors determined that there is discussion between county officials and departments about expenses and how to categorize them. 

“The county has a really good process,” he said.  

The financial statements were in order and the staff was easy to work with, he said. He gave credit to county employees for their responsiveness, especially Adams County Auditor Heidi Hunt.  

Auditors looked at the county’s handling of federal funds it received as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They determined the county had adequate controls over pandemic funds and federal grants.  

“The county was great to work with once again,” White said. 

Commissioner Dan Blankenship said county officials had to make multiple requests to federal administrators for some documents related to pandemic recordkeeping. He asked whether the audit of federal programs took longer than normal, particularly with the pandemic-related reviews. Fitzporter said it took about the same amount of time as previous federal program audits. 

White said an accountability audit is scheduled for Adams County in October.