A recently released audit of Chattooga County’s 2024 financial records identified deficiencies involving accounting procedures, procurement practices, internal controls, budgeting, and documentation. Major findings included more than $333,000 in ARPA-funded broadband project expenses that lacked sufficient supporting documentation, payments on road projects that exceeded approved bid amounts, missing procurement records, untimely bank reconciliations, and several departments exceeding approved budgets. Auditors also cited inadequate segregation of duties and training deficiencies. Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen said “We walked into this mess” when he took office and agreed with the audit findings and said corrective steps have already been implemented, including added accounting staff, stronger oversight, improved documentation requirements, better procurement procedures, regular budget reviews, and additional employee training. (See full story below).