Interview: Lewis County Legislator Ian Gilbert talks audit revealing clean, responsible fiscal management

LOWVILLE- Lewis County has maintained a steady reputation for being fiscally conservative and a recent audit backs that long time claim.

Now that the 2022 fiscal year has officially wrapped-up for Lewis County, a recent audit, conducted by independent auditors from EFPR Group, CPA's (Williamsville, NY), concluded the strength of the County’s reserves, and confirms once again that the County maintains appropriate governance and internal control mechanisms over the expenditure of taxpayer funds. 

“When we are lucky to have budget surpluses, we have been very careful not to expand the scope of County government. Rather, we have worked hard to invest those funds in capital assets - roads, bridges, culverts, buildings and equipment- because fixing those items today will save the taxpayers in future years in which revenues aren’t quite as strong," said Legislator Ian Gilbert (District 4), Chairman of the General Services Committee.

Be sure to listen to our latest on-air coverage with Ian Gilbert for more of his remarks:

According to the audit report, county revenue in 2022 exceeded county expenditures, creating a budget surplus of $3.3 million. Including last year’s surplus, Lewis County’s fund balance, or savings account, is now $24.8 million, or roughly 40% of annual expenditures.

The budget surplus has been achieved without increasing the property tax rate on Lewis County property owners, which remains below the 2014 rate.

The report notes that the County has wisely utilized “surplus revenue and accumulated reserves to improve and maintain physical assets” to offset future large capital expenditures.

The county has also invested in economic development initiatives to bolster future revenue, which will ensure stable tax rates in the years to come.

Image via Lewis County.