Grand County and state auditor reach deal to release withheld funds

Grand County and the state auditor's office have reached a tentative agreement to release state-allocated funds that were previously withheld due to an audit accusing the county of misusing tourism-related revenues. A commission vote on a corrective action letter is scheduled for Friday. The agreement reduces the required transfer from the general fund from about $4.5 million to approximately $1.1 million. The auditor's office has accepted most of the county's interpretations regarding the audit findings, which were initially disputed. The audit raised five key findings about the county's use of tourism tax revenue. Adjustments made during negotiations have significantly lowered the financial impact on the county, allowing for a more manageable resolution.