Auditing Helper
The Ledger's review of Helper's budgets, audits, debt and redevelopment money. Every story in the series, sorted by subject, with the figures the records show and links to the official documents.
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Auditing Helper: what the city's latest audit shows
Helper's audited statements for fiscal 2025 report $15.2 million in long-term debt, most of it owed by the water and sewer systems, and a general fund that spent $151,634 more than it took in. The auditor gave an unmodified opinion and reported one state compliance finding.
Read the explainer →Key figures
- $15.2 millionHelper long-term debt at June 30, 2025Auditing Helper: what the city's latest audit shows →
- $559,429General fund balance at June 30, 2025Auditing Helper: what the city's latest audit shows →
- $459,331MBA fund spending above budget on public works buildingHelper's fiscal 2025 audit reports three funds over budget, including $459,331 for a building project →
- $330,000Budgeted transfer into the general fund that was not madeHelper's fiscal 2025 general fund budget included a $330,000 transfer; none was made →
- $350,000Electric fund transfer to general fund in fiscal 2024Helper's fiscal 2025 general fund budget included a $330,000 transfer; none was made →
- $2.4 millionDrawn on new 2025 water loan maturing 2064Helper retired a 2015 water loan and drew $2.4 million on a new one running to 2064 →
Debt and bonds
Helper retired a 2015 water loan and drew $2.4 million on a new one running to 2064
Helper's fiscal 2025 audit reports that the city paid off a $1,794,000 water revenue loan and had drawn $2,412,000 on a new 1.5% water loan that matures in 2064. The water system also spent $1.16 million in federal pandemic recovery money.
Budgets, reserves and taxes
Helper's fiscal 2025 general fund budget included a $330,000 transfer; none was made
Helper's fiscal 2025 general fund budget included a $330,000 transfer in. The audit shows no transfer was made, and the fund's balance fell by $151,634. The year before, the electric fund sent $350,000 to cover a general fund shortfall.
Contracts and spending
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Audits and compliance
Helper's fiscal 2025 audit reports three funds over budget, including $459,331 for a building project
Helper's fiscal 2025 audit reports that the Municipal Building Authority fund spent $459,331 on a public works building project with no adopted appropriation, and that the sewer and garbage funds also exceeded their budgets.