By RYAN SKAITH
The City of St. Joseph has officially received a clean audit opinion for the 2025 fiscal year.
Issued by the independent firm Hood and Associates, this represents the highest level of assurance an auditor can provide. The comprehensive evaluation covered the City’s general financial statements, the Police Pension Fund, and a “Single Audit” regarding the City’s handling of federal awards. The findings confirm that all financial reporting aligns with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Beyond just balancing the books, the audit included a deep dive into the City’s internal controls and regulatory compliance. No material weaknesses or significant deficiencies were found. This success follows a year of internal reform; the City recently streamlined its electronic bidding procedures, consolidated procurement across all departments, and eliminated unnecessary fund transfers to improve clarity and efficiency.
While the financial health of the City is robust, auditors highlighted the evolving landscape of municipal risks. A specific emphasis was placed on cybersecurity, which has become a primary concern for local governments nationwide. In response, St. Joseph has been rolling out new security protocols over the past year to fortify its data integrity and protect critical cyber infrastructure from emerging threats.
The City has earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for 34 consecutive years. Given the strength of the 2025 report, auditors expect the City to receive this honor once again, marking three and a half decades of exceeding standard accounting requirements.
