Whitley County Clerk gets clean audit report

Whitley County Clerk Carolyn Willis has received a clean financial bill of health, according to a recently released audit by Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts Mike Harmon’s office into her 2022 financial statement for the clerk’s fee account.

“The auditor noted no instances of non-compliance. The auditor also noted no matters involving internal control over financial reporting and its operation that were consider material weaknesses,” according to a release by Harmon’s office.

The county clerk’s responsibilities include collecting certain taxes, issuing licenses, maintaining county records and providing other services. The clerk’s office is funded through statutory fees collected in conjunction with these duties.

Willis’ office collected a total of $10,640,462 in licenses and taxes in 2022, including: $4,339,325 in motor vehicle usage tax, $4,125,654 in tangible personal property tax and $1,222,172 in motor vehicle licenses and transfer, according to the audit.

The office also collected $13,928 in notary fees, $13,440 in marriage license fees, $131,142 in deed transfer tax, $569,027 in delinquent taxes, $108,322 in title lien statements, and $76,049 in real estate mortgages, the audit stated.

The audit report can be found on the auditor’s website at https://auditor.ky.gov/Auditreports.

State law requires the auditor to conduct annual audits of county clerks and sheriffs.