Audit delivered to Oconee school trustees

A financial accounting of Oconee School District activities was delivered last night to the county board of trustees. The district’s outside auditor, Don Estep, reported no problems. Estep said for the accounting year that ended June 30, the district’s records reflected a $7 million increase in its net financial position, to a total net position of $147 million. But with the annual audit, came a warning. New accounting requirements, according to Estep, will result in a decrease in the district’s overall worth because the district’s books will have to reflect the local district’s share of the state’s retirement liability. The change was likened to the climate of the state’s attempts to divert to local governments greater responsibility, such as roads and bridge work. District Five trustee Buddy Herring said, “It doesn’t smell good to me.”