Auditing Smithfield
The Ledger's review of Smithfield'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 Smithfield: what the city's audit, budgets and debt records show
A guide to Smithfield city's finances from its FY2025 audited financial statements, its adopted budgets and City Council minutes: an unmodified audit opinion, two state-compliance findings, $1.4 million in bonds and a water tank paid for in cash.
Read the explainer →Key figures
- $29.5 millionFY2027 budgeted expenses across all funds (state filing)Auditing Smithfield: what the city's audit, budgets and debt records show →
- $1.4 millionSales tax revenue bonds outstanding, June 30, 2025Auditing Smithfield: what the city's audit, budgets and debt records show →
- 36%General Fund unreserved balance vs. 35% state threshold, FY2025Smithfield's FY2025 audit: two state-compliance findings and an unmodified opinion →
- $3 millionGeneral Fund-to-capital transfer approved Dec. 10, 2025After an audit finding, Smithfield approved moving $3 million into its capital fund →
- $4.7 millionAmount listed for the 3-million-gallon tank, Dec. 2025 budget amendmentSmithfield's cash-funded water tank: what the minutes say about cost and schedule →
- $21Monthly 90-gallon garbage rate from July 1, 2026Smithfield raised garbage and recycling rates in July. Here is what the city said drives them →
Budgets, reserves and taxes
After an audit finding, Smithfield approved moving $3 million into its capital fund
The City Council voted 5–0 in December 2025 for a budget amendment that moved $3 million from the General Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund, which the city manager tied to the audit's 35% fund-balance threshold. A later budget filing estimates a larger FY2026 transfer.
Contracts and spending
Smithfield raised garbage and recycling rates in July. Here is what the city said drives them
The City Council voted 5–0 in June 2026 to raise monthly garbage, recycling and green-waste rates. Staff cited a 4% increase from the carrier, higher Logan landfill fees and can costs. The FY2027 budget raises the carrier contract line to $1,130,000.
Smithfield's cash-funded water tank: what the minutes say about cost and schedule
City officials reported the contract for a 3-million-gallon water tank signed with Spindler Construction in November 2025 and paid for in cash. The expected completion moved from September 2026 to November 2026 to the first quarter of 2027 in later reports.
Audits and compliance
Smithfield's FY2025 audit: two state-compliance findings and an unmodified opinion
The auditor reported that Smithfield city did not document 40 hours of financial training claimed on its fraud risk self-assessment, and that the General Fund's unreserved balance was 36%, above the 35% state threshold. The opinion on state compliance was not modified.