BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Auditor Jim Bryant reported the City of Inez remains in solid financial condition following his review of the 2024 and 2025 financial statements. However, he noted a couple of transfer and accounting items that the city needs to correct.
Bryant said in a Nov. 13 meeting that the city’s 2025 general fund recorded $126,302 in total revenue. Major revenue sources included $34,128 from LGEA, $32,509 from franchise fees and taxes, $29,631 in property tax collections, and $19,195 from ABC receipts. Telecommunications, licenses, and permits also contributed to the general fund.
General fund expenditures totaled $127,938, with $75,446 spent on general government and $44,800 on street expenses. Capital outlays came to $7,692, which Bryant said were mostly for new signs throughout the city.
The general fund transferred $8,783 to road aid, resulting in a $10,418 decrease in its balance. The general fund’s ending balance moved from $191,147 to $180,729.
Road aid received $10,167 in state revenue and reported $5,072 in expenses, along with a transfer in from the general fund representing the city’s 30 percent allocation from MARF. Bryant noted an increase of $13,292 in the road aid fund balance, bringing it to $58,972, up from $45,680.
He reported that the city did not transfer two or three MARF deposits from the general fund to road aid. In addition, several insurance payments for administrative purposes were mistakenly paid from the road aid fund. Those expenses must be reimbursed to bring the account into compliance.
Bryant also reported no liabilities. He identified $1,997 in obligations, including $216 in payroll tax, $150 for accrued vacation, and $11,622 due from the general fund to road aid.
“The city seems to be in good shape,” Bryant said. He noted that the city can correct the outstanding transfers through routine adjustments.
In the 2024 audit, the city recorded $90,934 in revenue and $121,674 in expenditures. Transfers to road aid contributed to a $38,226 decrease in the LGEA fund. The city received $22,805 in road aid funds in 2024.
Police protection
The City of Inez is proposing to use a portion of its ABC revenue to help fund additional police protection Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The plan would be a partnership with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, contingent on approval from both the state and Martin County.
Mayor Ed Daniels said the city has submitted the required paperwork to the county attorney for review. Under the proposal, the city would reimburse the sheriff’s office for a portion of an officer’s pay during patrols inside city limits.
“If they work 10 hours, we will pay 25% of that officer’s wages,” Daniels said.
The arrangement would allow increased law enforcement presence in the evenings without requiring the city to hire its own officers.
The city voted to rename City Walk to Inez Creekside Trail and to purchase new signage.