SOAP LAKE — Grant County Fire District 7 has recently undergone its first federal audit due to the receipt of over a million dollars in grant funding, which has revealed several areas of improvement regarding financial reporting and compliance with federal regulations.  

The audit, published by the Office of the Washington State Auditor on Dec. 11, highlighted specific deficiencies in financial controls and procurement practices that the district must address. The report included an unmodified opinion on the district’s cash basis financial statements but also noted significant deficiencies in internal controls, particularly relating to financial reporting and compliance with federal laws.  

Chief Erick Brittain, who took over leadership in August 2025, described the situation as a catalyst for immediate action. He said the district has already begun working on actions to correct and streamline finances before the audit was even published.  

"What triggered this was our over a million dollars of grant funding," said Brittain. "When that happens, it triggers not only a local and state audit but also a federal audit, which was the first time ever for a federal audit with this agency." 

He said the district secured the grant funds for volunteer recruitment, training and new apparatus.  

The State Auditor's report specified that the GCFD 7 did not have adequate controls to ensure accurate reporting of its financial statements or to comply with federal requirements regarding procurement and debarment. Specifically, the findings indicated a lack of effective internal controls that ultimately led to material weaknesses. This prompted GCFD 7 to commit reforms, according to Brittain.  

"We were aware that certain adjustments were necessary, and the audit confirmed our priorities moving forward," Brittain said. "While the audit highlighted areas for improvement, it also affirmed our strong performance in other areas. It’s crucial for us to resolve these issues swiftly and effectively." 

The audit detailed deficiencies in establishing internal controls for accurate financial reporting and highlighted the need for the district to prepare comprehensive written policies regarding procurement practices. Additionally, the district was found to have incorrectly reported certain federal grants. 

In response to the audit findings, the GCFD 7 has already implemented several corrective actions.  

"Before the ink even dried on the audit findings, we had implemented corrective actions, including better systems for financial reporting, internal controls, payroll practices and procurement of equipment and services," said Brittain. "Looking through our meeting minutes, people will see that in every commission meeting, we're introducing new policies." 

To address financial inaccuracies, GCFD 7, according to Brittain, has developed written internal control policies and mandatory secondary review processes for all financial statements.  

“Our priority is to ensure that every tax dollar is accounted for with the highest level of  precision. By formalizing our procedures and investing in advanced training we are building  a more resilient and accountable department for the community we serve,” reads a statement from GCFD7.  

The district has also set up a third-party digital scheduling platform, ensuring full compliance with district policies and procedures.  

Brittain emphasized the importance of these actions.  

"Those we actually anticipated. We understood that audits bring recognition of our shortcomings, but they also help tighten the controls we have in place," he said.