Auditors from Mauldin & Jenkins presented the FY25 audit to the Board of Commissioners at its January 13, 2026 meeting, according to the board's agenda and minutes.
IssueStephens Countyunder consideration
Stephens County's FY2025 audit shows $18.2 million general fund balance, solid waste losses
The county's independent auditors gave a clean opinion on the FY2025 financial statements, but the report shows the solid waste fund again lost money and needed a general fund transfer to cover it.
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January 13, 2026: FY25 audit presentation by Mauldin & Jenkins
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The story
An independent audit of Stephens County's finances for the year ending June 30, 2025 found the county's assets exceeded its liabilities by about $66 million, and auditors' opinion stated the financial statements present fairly the county's financial position. The General Fund ended the year with a total fund balance of $18,173,785.
The audit also documented an operating loss of $520,859 in the Solid Waste Management Fund, which along with other factors left the fund's net position at a deficit of $1,666,955. The county transferred $663,437 from the General Fund to the Solid Waste Fund during the year to cover landfill closure and operating needs.
Elsewhere in the report, General Fund revenues came in $17,188 below the final budget while expenditures were $675,135 under budget. The county retired its SPLOST VI bond debt during the year, leaving a remaining balance tied to SPLOST VII, and closed out its ARPA fund, which had received $536,704.
Auditors from Mauldin & Jenkins presented the FY25 audit to the Board of Commissioners at its January 13, 2026 meeting, according to the board's agenda and minutes.
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Appeared on agendaproposedFY25 audit presentation by Mauldin & Jenkins
Mauldin & Jenkins to present FY25 audit.
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FY25 audit presentation by Mauldin & Jenkins
Mauldin & Jenkins to present FY25 audit.
DiscusseddiscussedFY25 audit presentation by Mauldin & Jenkins
Mauldin & Jenkins to present FY25 audit.
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FY25 audit presentation by Mauldin & Jenkins
Mauldin & Jenkins to present FY25 audit.
mentionedunknownGeneral Fund total fund balance for FY2025
the County’s Genera l Fund reported a total fund balance of $18,173,785
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General Fund total fund balance for FY2025
the County’s Genera l Fund reported a total fund balance of $18,173,785
mentionedunknownSolid Waste Management Fund operating deficit
During the current year a loss of $520,859 was presented before transfers from
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Solid Waste Management Fund operating deficit
During the current year a loss of $520,859 was presented before transfers from
mentionedunknownFY2025 General Fund budget-to-actual variance
Revenues were $17,188 less than the final budget and overall expenditures
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FY2025 General Fund budget-to-actual variance
Revenues were $17,188 less than the final budget and overall expenditures
mentionedunknownStephens County General Fund FY2025 year-end fund balance
Fund balance, end of year 18,173,785$
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Stephens County General Fund FY2025 year-end fund balance
Fund balance, end of year 18,173,785$
mentionedunknownSPLOST VI general obligation bond debt retirement
payment for SPLOST VI principal and interest was paid leaving a balance pertaining to SPLOST VII.
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SPLOST VI general obligation bond debt retirement
payment for SPLOST VI principal and interest was paid leaving a balance pertaining to SPLOST VII.
mentionedunknownARPA Fund closeout
As of June 30, 2025, the fund is now closed.
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ARPA Fund closeout
As of June 30, 2025, the fund is now closed.
mentionedunknownTransfer from General Fund to Solid Waste Fund for landfill closure/operating needs
A transfer of funds was made from the General Fund to the Solid Waste Fund in the amount of $663,437 due
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Transfer from General Fund to Solid Waste Fund for landfill closure/operating needs
A transfer of funds was made from the General Fund to the Solid Waste Fund in the amount of $663,437 due
mentionedunknownIndependent auditor's opinion on Stephens County FY2025 financial statements
the financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities
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Independent auditor's opinion on Stephens County FY2025 financial statements
the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities
mentionedunknownGeneral Fund balance composition and reserves
while the total fund balance was $18,173,785.
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General Fund balance composition and reserves
while the total fund balance was $18,173,785.
mentionedunknownBusiness-type activities (solid waste management) net position deficit for FY2025
Total net position $ 67,999,000 $ (1,666,955) $ 66,332,045
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Business-type activities (solid waste management) net position deficit for FY2025
Total net position $ 67,999,000 $ (1,666,955) $ 66,332,045
mentionedunknownCounty's total net position as of June 30, 2025
The assets of the County exceeded its liabilities at June 30, 2025, by approximately $66 million (net position)
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County's total net position as of June 30, 2025
The assets of the County exceeded its liabilities at June 30, 2025, by approximately $66 million (net position)
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