Treasurer reports on the state of Mineral County finances

During the Feb. 22 meeting of the Mineral County Commissioners, County Treasurer Mary Yarnall was present to field questions about the current state of finances for the county.

Commissioner Roman Zylawy asked Yarnall if “everything is ok on cash investments and balances” because questions from the public had been brought to the commissioners.

“Basically the rumor that you heard recently was an old issue that was fixed way back when and the false information is being redistributed,” Mineral County Clerk and Recorder Staci Hayes said.

Yarnall added that in the transition from the previous county treasurer there were some challenges in understanding the past way things were done in the office and creating a new “more thorough” system of keeping the county finances balanced.

“It goes over everything so you can see that we are balanced, what our investments are and what money we have in the bank,” Yarnall said.

Yarnall said that initially she “went backwards” on what was done by the previous treasurer before “going forward” in a similar manner.

After some set-backs with learning the system, Yarnall brought in two employees – one who had past experience in Missoula County – to create the current “more thorough” system the department now uses.

According to Yarnall, the “old issue” took place at the beginning of her term and currently the department has “everything handled.”

“If you are more comfortable, I can give you one of these sheets every month at the monthly meetings, show you we are balanced and what investments we have and cash,” Yarnall said. “I am usually done by the end of each month.”

Commissioner Laurie Johnston said if Yarnall could bring the balance sheet to the monthly meeting of department directors it would make the commissioners “more comfortable.”