MOSES LAKE — The Washington State Auditor's recent independent accountability audit of the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District revealed that the district's operations substantially complied with applicable state laws, regulations, and its own policies from Jan. 1, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2023.  

The audit concluded that the district maintained adequate controls for safeguarding public resources against fraud, loss or abuse. 

The examination focused on high-risk areas, including accounts payable, financial condition, and compliance with open public meeting requirements. The audit did not cover every aspect of district operations but provided an overview of the areas deemed most vulnerable to potential discrepancies. 

MLIRD, responsible for enhancing water quality in Moses Lake, reported operating revenues of approximately $55,800 in 2022 and $43,000 in 2023, alongside expenditures rising from $854,700 to $1.05 million in the same period.  

The district did not collect assessment revenues for three consecutive years, 2021 through 2023. It implemented a new assessment roll methodology in 2024, and that will generate enough revenue to support the district’s obligations, the report said.