WEST MONROE – The City of West Monroe recently received unmodified opinions on all three reports issued by its independent auditors for fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. An unmodified opinion means there were no findings on any of the audit reports. The audit reports were recently issued by the state Legislative Auditor’s Office.
“The recent audit report demonstrates the success of our Finance Department, City Administration and our employees,” said West Monroe Mayor Staci Albritton Mitchell.
Mayor Mitchell said the city’s team has worked diligently to provide efficient and effective services at reasonable costs to the taxpayers while being able to have funds available for grant matches on infrastructure and other capital projects.
“This is the most favorable opinion the city can receive,” said John Cameron, a CPA with Cameron, Hines & Company, the West Monroe firm who completed the city’s audit. According to Cameron, the City of West Monroe has a healthy general fund balance of $12 million while being able to give employees a 3 percent Cost of Living adjustment on July 1, 2025.
The City of West Monroe’s assets exceeded its liabilities by $54 million. The city’s bonded debt decreased $2,259,000 during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.
“The City of West Monroe maintains a rating of AA (Stable Outlook) from S&P Global Ratings on its outstanding Sales Tax Bonds,” said Brennan Black of Foley & Judell, a law firm used by the City of West Monroe to deal with municipal finance.
“This is one of the highest ratings assigned to municipalities in Louisiana. This rating allows the City to finance the costs of necessary capital improvements at lower interest rates, allowing the City to efficiently leverage taxpayer dollars. As part of its rating analysis, S&P Global Ratings noted the City’s ‘very strong coverage,’ with annual sales tax revenues exceeding annual debt service by over 3 times." Black said representatives from Foley & Judell have only been able to locate two other municipalities with a higher rating – Covington (AA+) and Baton Rouge (AAA).