Oconee’s financial condition draws plaudits

The financial condition and record-keeping of Oconee County drew accolades last night—mainly from an official whose firm is contracted to audit the county’s numbers.  Representing the firm Mauldin and Jenkins, David Irwin delivered a “clean, un-modified opinion” of the county’s financial records for 2014-15.  Irwin complimented the county’s finance office for helping his firm deliver an audit three weeks early and says it’s a reflection on the office staff, including Ladale Price, who recently took over as  the county’s chief financial officer.  The audit shows the county has millions of dollars in liabilities—including that which is specified to pay future retirement benefits.  But Irwin told the county not to worry as the appearance of those future retirement benefits in government audits are a requirement of new accounting rules.  For the year ended June 30, Oconee’s fund balance stood at $21.4 million—a decrease of $700 thousand from the previous year.