An annual audit released this week by the State of Washington gives the city of Vancouver a clean bill of fiscal health.
A team led by State Auditor Brian Sonntag conducted an extensive financial audit as well as detailed independent analysis of the City's 2010 accounting. The review included Community Development Department, Fire Department, Public Works Operations Center and Pearson Airpark.
Because the City received and expended federal dollars in 2010, including stimulus dollars awarded though the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the audit included a higher level of scrutiny and reporting for eight qualifying programs. Financial records for all eight grant programs totaled more than $13.5 million and included the Community Development Block Grant, Highway Planning and Construction funds, HOME investment, Brownfields Economic Development Initiative, Section 108 Loan Guarantees and the Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant.
"The U.S. government and taxpayers expect local governments to take extra care when spending not only local dollars but federal grants. We are so pleased to pass this review with flying colors and have an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to those taxpayers," said the City's Chief Financial Officer Lloyd Tyler.
The audit reviews included oversight of City billing and payments, procurement and contracts, public meetings, utility revenue and conflicts of interest. State auditors were in Vancouver for about six months before concluding there were no deficiencies or weaknesses, difficulties
