Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley’s finances received high marks in the city’s annual audit, with results described as being in good standing. The Foley City Council recently received the audit report. The review was performed by the Warren Averett financial firm. City officials said the findings show the city’s municipal finances remain healthy.

The audit was recently presented to the council, and Warren Averett senior audit manager Chris Kiley stated that the city received the most positive opinion possible. “We issued a clean, unmodified opinion that your financial statements present fairly in all material respects,” Kiley said. “That is the highest level of assurance we're allowed to provide.”

Kiley also commended Foley Finance Director and Treasurer Miranda Bell and the city finance staff for their efforts during the review. “It's been a great experience working with Miranda and her team,” Kiley said. “They did a great job getting everything to me promptly and providing all the necessary audit support.”

Kiley said the support helped the audit run smoothly. “It made everything run efficiently. We really appreciate her and her team for all our audit work during the process,” he said. City officials said the annual audit is one way Foley reviews how public funds are managed.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich told the council that Foley has received several awards recognizing the city’s finances and the work done by Bell and the staff. “Our finance team continues to win awards every year, and it relates to something that you, you guys, are always being asked about, which is transparency,” Hellmich said.

Hellmich said Foley shares information openly and closely monitors spending. “I don't know how much more transparent you can be when you are counting every dollar, and you're also putting it on the website,” he said. He also described the repeated awards as a sign of consistent work.

The city received three national financial awards from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for the sixth consecutive year, officials said. The GFOA awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, and the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Report to the Foley Finance Department.

Only five cities in Alabama received all three awards this year, according to the city. That distinction is known as the Triple Crown. Hellmich said earning it year after year is a major achievement for the city and its staff.

“What Miranda and her team have done is incredible and deserves congratulations for what y'all do every year,” Hellmich said. “It might not seem as much of a big deal when you keep getting it, but this is really outstanding.”