Dexter Receives High Praise for 'Conservative' Budget

The Village of Dexter received an "unqualified" opinion on its audit for the 2010 fiscal year ending June 30, 2011.

"Our report shows that this council keeps control of their expenditures properly," Rana Emmons, a representative of the Post, Smythe, Lutz and Ziel firm of Plymouth told the village council at their meeting on Monday.

Emmons said an "unqualified" opinion is the highest rating a muncipality can receive during an audit. The opinion states that the auditor feels the muncipality followed all accounting rules appropriately and that the financial reports are an accurate representation of the muncipality's financial condition.

According to the audit, the village's assets exceeded its liabilities by $16.8 million at the close of the 2010 fiscal year. The village's total net assets increased by $47,826. The village's ending fund balance was reported at $3.2 million while debt decreased by $447,000 (3 percent).

"The village's fund balance is healthy and shows that you can ride out the economic ups and downs," Emmons said. "While some communities are scrambling to get extra funds from residents due to low reserves, Dexter has remained fiscally conservative."