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COUNTY GOVERNMENT Auditor gives county finances clean bill of health Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Feb. 24, 2016 at 4:23 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Feb. 24, 2016 at 4:23 PM » Social News An outside auditing firm has given Jackson County's finances a clean bill of health and has lauded staff members and officials for wise financial management. Auditors from Moss Adams, LLP delivered a 2015 audit report to the Jackson County Board of Commissioners Wednesday. Annual audits of local governments are mandated by law. Moss Adams Partner Jim Lanzarotta said it's easy for local governments to trip up on countless state and federal regulations or to overspend, especially as final bills come in at the end of the fiscal year. He said Jackson County is fairly unusual in not having any noncompliance issues. "You've got quite a history of getting clean opinions, and it's something of which you should be quite proud," Lanzarotta said. He said Jackson County does an excellent job seeking outside state and federal grants, which reduces the burden on local taxpayers. "You've done very well in the grant area soliciting and receiving grants," he said. Lanzarotta said county-wide expenses have fallen from $159 million four years ago to $135 million last year, meaning the county is running in a more lean, efficient way. Yet the county is maintaining its investment in roads, bridges, buildings and other assets. He said many jurisdictions that run into financial trouble postpone construction and maintenance projects, creating problems for the future. Other jurisdictions also often rely on debt to finance work, but Jackson County is saving and using cash on hand to pay for projects, he said. "The county has very little debt," Lanzarotta said. Commissioner Rick Dyer said although the county has received strong audit reports in the past, there is nothing routine about the county's achievements each year. He said the county is operating more efficiently with no discernible loss of services. He praised the citizen Budget Committee, county department heads and staff, and County Administrator Danny Jordan. "His leadership and acumen is one of the reasons why we are where we are, and I want to recognize that," Dyer said of Jordan. Lanzarotta lauded the county for also having its own internal audit department, which not only monitors county finances but does performance evaluations of county programs and departments. "You have three people in your audit department," he said. "Some of your peers have one or none." Lanzarotta said he has pointed out Jackson County's internal audit department as a model to other jurisdictions. "It's a challenge to meet all the needs in the community," he said. "You can't meet it if you don't have the financial strength to meet it." Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Feb. 24, 2016 at 4:23 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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