To review county’s books: County to negotiate GFOA study offer

Whitman County commissioners on Sept. 2 approved starting negotiations with the Government Finance Officers Association of Chicago for a contract to review the county’s financial management procedures.

County commissioners opted to proceed with GFOA after getting two responses to a call for professional services to review the county’s procedures.

The commissioners issued the call after receiving an initial proposal from GFOA in June to conduct the review.

Commissioners have considered hiring a professional assessment because state auditors reported they were unable to issue an official opinion on the county’s financial status after a review of the 2012 books.

That no opinion conclusion resulted in Standard & Poor’s removing its rating for potential bond issues by the county.

State auditors, after their no opinion conclusion on the county’s 2012 books, are now auditing the 2013 financial records.

In its first proposal last June, GFOA estimated costs for professional services could run more than $80,000.

Their second proposal submitted last month outlined five tasks: project planning, business process analysis and documentation, needs assessment, advisory services and implementation oversight.

GFOA is a nonprofit association founded in 1906 with offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C.

The review calls for specific recommendations for improving accuracy, functionality and efficiency of the county’s financial system.