ALTO, Ga. — Alto officials have filed the town’s long-delayed 2024 audit with the state, closing a months-long process that exposed weaknesses in the town’s financial controls and temporarily stalled work on its 2026 budget.
The independent audit, finalized Dec. 31, 2025, shows Alto ended 2024 in a stronger overall financial position, with total net position increasing by about $92,700 to roughly $4.37 million. Auditors issued an unmodified opinion, finding the town’s financial statements fairly present Alto’s financial condition in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The filing comes after the Alto City Council voted earlier this year to authorize submission of the audit to the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts, following delays tied to year-end reconciliations and audit adjustments. Council members had been warned that failure to submit the audit could jeopardize state reporting compliance and affect future budgeting.
While the audit shows growth on paper, it also documents the same internal control issue that has been at the center of council discussions for months. Auditors cited weaknesses in Alto’s year-end financial close procedures, noting that some accounting adjustments were not made in a timely manner, which could lead management to rely on incomplete or inaccurate financial data.
That finding mirrors concerns raised earlier this year by a Georgia Municipal Association consultant, who told council members that unreconciled 2025 financial records were preventing the town from moving forward with its 2026 budget. The consultant warned that without timely reconciliations and reliable financial reports, the city risked making budget decisions without a clear picture of available revenues and expenses.
Town management agreed with the audit finding and outlined corrective actions, including staffing changes in the finance department and plans to implement new accounting software in 2026 to better integrate funds and reduce the need for manual adjustments. According to the town’s response, those changes are intended to allow more timely financial reporting and prevent future delays in audits and budgeting.
Financially, the audit shows Alto’s governmental activities posted a $25,661 increase in net position in 2024, while business-type activities, primarily the water utility, increased by $67,225. Capital investments, including road projects on Wynn Shoals Road and water system upgrades on Apple Pie Ridge, played a key role in the overall increase.
Governmental revenues declined compared to 2023, largely due to lower fines and forfeiture collections and changes to background check fee revenue. Those losses were partially offset by capital grants, including American Rescue Plan Act funds and transportation-related funding.
The water utility ended the year with a positive change in net position despite lower operating revenues and higher labor and insurance costs, aided by transfers from ARPA, SPLOST, and the general fund.
The audit reflects Alto’s financial condition for the year ending Dec. 31, 2024, but its findings continue to shape current discussions as city officials work to stabilize financial reporting and finalize future budgets.
