TRIBUNE
COLFAX - An annual state audit of Whitman County found that officials failed to comply with federal regulations when the county remodeled its election office in 2011, and that its internal financial controls are still inadequate after repeated attempts to fix them.
The state auditor's report covered calendar year 2011. In the first finding, it found that when the county spent more than $100,000 from the Help America Vote Act, it did not submit weekly certified payrolls for the contractor, and did not verify that the vendors who did the remodel were eligible to do the work, as required by the act's regulations.
The auditor's office said the county has agreed to comply with the regulations in the future.
In the second finding, the report found the county was deficient in several areas, including departments not communicating enough to adequately ensure accurate financial reporting. County staff lacks the technical knowledge and resources for adequate financial review and accuracy, according to the audit, which mentioned several other deficiencies.
In its response, the county said it has simplified its banking procedures and is taking other steps to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting. The auditor's office said it will review how effective the measures have been at its next review.