The city of Foley’s finances remain in strong condition, according to its latest annual audit, which awarded municipal leaders the highest level of assurance possible and underscored a continued streak of national recognition.

Foley City Council recently reviewed the audit conducted by the Warren Averett financial firm. Chris Kiley, a senior audit manager with the firm, told officials the city received a clean opinion, indicating its financial statements are accurate and in compliance with required standards.

“We issued a clean, unmodified opinion that your financial statements present fairly in all material respects,” Kiley said. “That is the highest level of assurance we're allowed to provide.”

The audit reflects the city’s financial management practices over the past year and found no material issues, reinforcing Foley’s reputation for fiscal stability. Clean opinions are considered the gold standard in municipal auditing and signal to residents, investors and oversight bodies that a city’s financial reporting is reliable.

Kiley credited Finance Director and Treasurer Miranda Bell and her staff for their role in the process, noting their preparation and responsiveness helped ensure an efficient audit.

“It's been a great experience working with Miranda and her staff,” Kiley said. “They did a great job getting everything to me in a timely manner and providing all the audit support. It made everything run efficiently. We really appreciate her and her team for all our audit work during the process.”

City leaders said the audit findings align with a broader pattern of recognition for Foley’s financial transparency and reporting. Mayor Ralph Hellmich pointed to multiple national awards the city has received in recent years, highlighting the emphasis placed on accountability and public access to financial information.

“Our finance team continues to win awards every year, and it gets back to something that you, you guys, are always being asked about, is transparency. I don't know how much more transparent you can be when you are counting for every dollar, and you're also putting it on the website.”

For the sixth consecutive year, Foley earned three major honors from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The awards include the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Report.

Only five cities in Alabama received all three awards this year, a distinction known as the Triple Crown, placing Foley among a select group recognized for excellence in financial reporting, budgeting and public communication.

The Government Finance Officers Association awards program is widely regarded as a benchmark for transparency and accountability in public finance, with recipients meeting rigorous criteria for clarity, accuracy and accessibility of financial documents.

Hellmich said maintaining that level of recognition over multiple years is no small feat and reflects a sustained commitment by city staff.

“What Miranda and her team have done is incredible and deserves congratulations for what y'all do every year,” Hellmich said. “It might not seem as much of a big deal when you keep getting it, but this is really outstanding.”