Dear friends,
This update is just to let you know of a committee hearing that will be taking place in our district this week. On Wednesday, February 10th, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. the State Government Finance Committee will be holding a hearing in the Freeborn County Board Chambers at 411 South Broadway in Albert Lea. This meeting is regarding legislation passed last session that will enable counties to contract with private auditing firms to perform local audits (as most cities, school districts, and some select counties are already allowed to do), instead of being mandated to use the State Auditor’s Office to perform these audits.
The option of contracting with private accounting firms allows counties to save taxpayer dollars by contracting with Certified Public Accountants at a lower rate than what the State Auditor’s Office would charge. This also allows counties to receive their audits in a timely manner, as the Office of the State Auditor often did not perform audits in enough time for the results to be useful for county planning and other purposes. Under the new law, the State Auditor’s Office will still have the option to review the results of private audits.
State Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles and Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever will testify as to the constitutionality of this legislation and how it effects counties.
Hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Peggy