Finance: Bellingham

Washington State Auditors had no issues with the 2012 financial documents pertaining to the Port of Bellingham’s $45 million budget.

Bellingham Port Budget Clears State Audit

Washington State Auditors had no issues with the 2012 financial documents pertaining to the Port of Bellingham’s $45 million budget. The recently completed annual audit covered three broad areas. For the area of "Financial and Accountability," auditors focused on cash receipting, bid compliance, change orders and contract compliance. They also looked at the port’s internal controls to make sure the port has controls in place to protect the public’s assets. 

In the area of "Federal Single Audit," they reviewed the port’s federal grants focusing on recordkeeping, internal controls, reporting and compliance with the port’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant contracts.

The state also audited the port’s recordkeeping, internal controls, reporting and compliance with the FAA Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) program to make sure funds are being spent appropriately. 

 "We are very pleased with our state audit report," said Port Finance Director Tamara Sobjack. "All of our port staff thinks about the audit on a daily basis. The ‘audit’ isn’t an event, it’s a daily concern.

The Washington State Auditor’s report on the Port of Bellingham Audit can be reviewed online at www.sao.wa.gov