2018 Financial Data is Now Available!
The Financial Intelligence Tool (FIT) now contains the most recent financial information from nearly 1,800 local governments!
Local governments
Auditor announces adjustment to hourly billing rate
This week, Auditor Pat McCarthy notified local governments of a coming adjustment to the hourly local audit billing rate.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2020, the local audit billing rate will be $113, due largely to significant salary increases that have affected all state employees.
Government data tells a story with FIT – just take a look at what you can learn about drainage and diking districts
From the Olympic Peninsula to the Palouse and the area in between, over 2,200 local governments exist to serve the residents of Washington. Although you may be aware of cities and counties, are you aware of the more than 40 types of special purpose governments in our state?
New resources identify best practices for credit card programs and travel expenditures
By the Center for Government Innovation
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
The Center for Government Innovation has published two new resources to help local governments identify best practices for two different, but possibly related areas: credit card programs and travel expenditures.
Credit card programs
Are you ready to identify your asset retirement obligations?
Originally published July 26, 2019
Updated October 28, 2024
This blog post was originally published in July 2019, but we've recently updated the Identifying Asset Retirement Obligations Guide. You can find the new Guide in SAO’s Resource Library. We've also updated the links in this post for your convenience.
Here’s what’s new in the Guide:
McCarthy: First Settlement in Wapato Case a Win for Good Government
OLYMPIA – Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy praised an agreement announced by Attorney General Bob Ferguson Friday, requiring the resignation of the administrator of the troubled city of Wapato.
Time is up! Written procurement procedures that comply with Uniform Guidance must be implemented for 2018 single audits
By Alisha Shaw, Program Manager – Team Pullman
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
As communicated during audits and conferences in the past three years, local governments must fully comply with the Uniform Guidance general procurement standards found in 2 CFR 200.318 by the following dates:
Unclaimed property can work both ways for local government
By Kristen Harris, Assistant Audit Manager – Center for Government Innovation
Estimated reading time: 1 minute
Local governments should, of course, report unclaimed property, but they also might be in a position to claim it.
New resources guide on travel reimbursement, credit card use
By Mike Bailey – Municipal Research and Services Center
The Office of the Washington State Auditor's Center for Government Innovation partnered with the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) to bring you updated guidance for writing travel and credit card policies.
If you work in local government, you need to #BeCyberSmart, even if your job isn't in IT
The need to be cybersecure isn't going away-in fact, it's an issue that grows more relevant each day. As more local governments in Washington are the unfortunate victims of cyberattacks, the reality of the situation cannot be ignored.
Cybersecurity is everyone's job in a local government.