After a thorough review of the checkbooks, Loudon County walked out of the Tennessee County Services Association as one of only 14 counties in the state with a clean audit for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2024.
This achievement marks the seventh clean audit in eight fiscal years for Loudon County, as well as its second consecutive financial review with zero findings.
In an interview with The Connection, Loudon County Mayor Buddy Bradshaw said that their one year without a clean audit was only due to one finding that was the result of a glitch in a smaller department.
“These 14 counties have demonstrated a commitment to sound financial management and internal controls,” said Comptroller Jason Mumpower in a press release.
“A clean audit is a significant achievement that requires diligence and accountability. Congratulations to the elected officials, leaders and staff members in these counties for their hard work.”
A LABORIOUS PROCESS
The annual audit is a laborious process, taking months to prepare as representatives from the Comptroller’s Office review almost every spare penny the county uses in an effort to combat wasteful, fraudulent or abusive spending at the expense of the taxpayer.
Mayor Bradshaw said a clean audit was one of his biggest priorities when he was first elected back in 2014 — though he says it’s a county-wide effort.
He stated that nearly every elected official has some voice in the process from top to bottom.
“It shows to me that people are taking pride in their work, they’re invested in their work,” Bradshaw said. “It shows to me that employees are really taking pride in their work and going the extra steps they need to take.”
On top of that, to turn in financial statements with zero blemishes is becoming more common as Tennessee reported historically low numbers in their findings through the previous fiscal year.
Over the 91 counties in the state, there were a total of 260 findings for an average of 2.86 findings per county. It’s a sharp decline from 2023’s reports, which saw that average number shoot up to 3.57 findings per county annually.
‘THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE’
In his presentation of the award, Mumpower echoed the praises Mayor Bradshaw sang about Director of Accounts and Budgets Erin Rice, a key player in this process every year.
Bradshaw called Rice and her department “the last line of defense” come audit season.
“Our auditor particularly pointed out that [Loudon County’s] Director of Accounts and Budgets leads a dedicated staff and takes it seriously,” Mumpower said.
Other counties with clean audits for the fiscal year included Bedford, Campbell, Cannon, Dickson, Grainger, Houston, Putnam, Robertson, Scott, Sevier, Stewart, Unicoi and Weakley.
On this year’s Audit Committee for Loudon County were County Commissioners Adam Waller (6th District), Van Shaver (5th District), Will Jenkins (2nd District) and Charlie Bettis.
Mayor Bradshaw plans to keep the standard for perfection as long as he can.
“Now, we’re shooting for eight [years] out of nine.” Bradshaw said.
