Annual Audit Affirms Beecher’s ‘Healthy Financial Position’

Article Summary: An independent audit of the Village of Beecher’s finances for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2025, resulted in a clean opinion, with auditors confirming the village is operating in a healthy financial position. The report highlighted a significant increase in the general fund’s reserves and overall net position.

Village of Beecher Financial Audit Key Points:

• Clean Opinion: The village received an “unmodified opinion,” the highest level of assurance from an auditor, indicating the financial statements are presented fairly and accurately.

• Increased Net Position: The village’s governmental activities saw their net position increase by $799,796 during the fiscal year.

• Healthy Reserves: The general fund’s unassigned fund balance, a key measure of financial health, stood at $1,254,523, a slight increase from the prior year.

BEECHER, IL – The Village of Beecher remains in a “healthy financial position,” according to an independent audit of its fiscal year 2024-2025 finances presented to the village board on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

Jennifer Doss, a CPA with the accounting firm Stripes, Abraham, and Garrett, delivered the report, informing the board that the village had received an “unmodified opinion,” which is a clean opinion and the best possible outcome of an audit.

“Overall, the Village is operating in a healthy financial position,” Doss concluded after highlighting key financial indicators.

The audit, which covered the fiscal year ending April 30, 2025, showed that the village’s governmental activities—which include general administration, public safety, and public works—ended the year with a net position increase of $799,796. This was a strong performance, though about $500,000 less than the prior year’s increase, which was bolstered by one-time ARPA funds and higher grant revenues.

The village’s business-type activities, which cover water, sewer, and refuse services, saw a net increase of $111,296.

Doss also drew attention to the general fund’s unassigned fund balance of $1,254,523, noting that it “increased slightly from the prior years and it remains healthy from a reserve standpoint.” This fund represents the portion of the village’s resources that are not restricted and can be used for any legitimate government purpose, serving as a critical cushion for unexpected expenses or revenue shortfalls.

Following the presentation, the board voted unanimously to accept the fiscal year 2024-2025 financial audit.