Dear Editor,

I’d like to correct the record in regards to the “against statement” for the levy funding Quillayute Valley Parks and Recreation District.

The against statement is completely wrong, where it states, “the district’s most recent audit (2019–2021) raised serious concerns about weak internal controls, missing documentation, and inconsistent budgeting practices.”

The audit in question says no such thing! The audit has one minor finding, that the district submitted year-end account balance statements incomplete or a few months late. That’s it. Not a single mention of “weak” internal controls or “inconsistent budgeting practices,” the implication of which is that the Board was spending money in a way that was improper. The only recommendation by the auditor was to establish better controls to make sure the report gets submitted in a timely manner. Hardly a major finding!

Once the errors in reporting were fixed, albeit late, there were no findings of wrongdoing. The reports have no impact on financial integrity and had nothing to do with controlling how money was spent or budgeting practices.

The Audit includes a statement from the Board, “Previous audits by the SAO (State Auditor Office) have not referenced completion issues of the annual report, the subject of the finding issued currently. Further QVPRD was not aware that reports submitted the past 3 years were incomplete, since they were forwarded and shown as accepted by the SAO.”

So a minor audit finding, about a late balance-statement, which when resolved showed no misdeeds, is being misinterpreted as something it is not. Quillayute Valley Parks and Recreation District has strong financial controls, complete documentation and consistent budgeting practices.

We welcome any and all questions!

Forks.QVPRD@gmail.com

All the best,

Tyler Maxfield

Treasurer, Commissioner QVPRD