County finishes first full financial report in five years

Whitman County finished its 2008 year-end financial statement Friday, marking the first time in five years the county has submitted a complete accounting of its records to state auditors.

The year-end report was due in May.

Commissioner Michael Largent said he believes it was more important to have a complete review of the county’s books than to make sure the statement was turned in by the state’s deadline.

“The important thing is the people’s representatives, in this case the state auditors, will have our entire financial statement,” said Largent. “From there, we can know what we need to correct.”

This is the seventh consecutive year the county’s year-end statement has been late.

A report issued by the state auditor earlier this year cited the county for submitting a late and inaccurate statement for 2007.

The county’s finance department and commissioners opted to submit an incomplete 2007 report and concentrate on the 2008 books.

“This is a huge milestone for us just to get to this point,” Commissioner Greg Partch said Monday. “It’s critical our 2008 numbers are accurate so that we have reliable figures when we bring New World online.”

In 2005, the county purchased financial accounting software from Michigan-based New World Systems for close to $500,000. Commissioners hope the software will be fully operational by next year.

Largent said he expects state auditors will find fault with the 2008 statement, but stressed that will give the county much-needed information.

“I’m sure they will have some suggestions on areas where we can improve as this is our first full attempt at it,” he said.