Fiscal Transparency:
Knowing where the money comes from -- and where it goes

It is important that citizens know exactly how their money is raised and is spent, and the internet provides an unprecedented method of giving everyone access to relevant information.  Although Polk County has provided financial statements and budgets online for years, this page is created to be a one-stop shop for all financial information and a focal point for improved fiscal transparency.  It will be updated regularly and expanded as possible, so please check back.

This site’s organization follows the Code of Good Practices on Fiscal Transparency developed by international agencies and used to evaluate governments throughout the world.  The Code sets out four basic standards:

1. Clarity of Roles and Responsibilities,

2. Public Availability of Information,

3. Open Budget Preparation, Execution, and Reporting, and

4. Independent Assurances of Integrity.

This web page follows this standard, (with public availability of information of course included in all).  All documents are in Adobe Acrobat™ available here; other formats on request.

Clarity of Roles and Responsibilities

For public financial management to be effective in meeting its goals and be accountable to the public, it is essential to know who does what in the budget and financial management process and when.  The Polk County Board of Supervisors have has established a set of policies that govern these activities, as follows:

Policy 880  Budget preparation and execution
Policy 908  Cash Handling
Policy 910  Fund Balance
Policy 911  Capital Asset       
Policy 912 Purchasing
Policy 913 Investment
Policy 914 Credit Card 

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Open Budget Preparation, Execution, and Reporting 

Budget preparation:

Budget preparation must be open in the process that is followed and, once introduced, there must be open consideration of options and transparency in the decisions that are made. 

2012 Budget Preparation Documents 
March 2011 report on County Board Priorities
2012 Administration Budget Recommendation
Draft 2012-2016 Capital Improvement Plan
2012 Committee Reports
Supplemental 2012 budget information
Minutes of October 18, 2011 County Board meeting 

Budget Execution:

As budget funds are spent, there should also be accounting for those expenditures, to assure that budgets are properly spent and for the purposes authorized.  Additionally, fiscal discipline requires tracking of budget balances to ensure that all financial targets are met and results achieved.

2011 Adopted Budget
Quarter 2 Financial Report
Quarter 3 Financial Report

Budget Reporting:

Providing understandable reports on County finances is critical to improving citizen understanding of how government spends public money and of the results it achieves.  Much of this is incorporated in the budget document, but clearer and simpler documents have been developed.

2011 Annual Report on the Condition of Polk County
Citizens’ Guide to the 2011 Budget
2010 Adopted Budget
2009 Adopted Budget 

Independent Assurances of Integrity

Polk County is annually audited by an independent auditing company,and Polk County’s nursing home, Golden Age Manor, is also independently audited  There are the audits for the past six years (the 2011 audit will be available in June, 2012):

Polk County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) 12/31/2010
Federal and State Single Audit Report 12/31/2010
Polk County CAFR 12/31/2009
Federal and State Single Audit Report 12/31/2009
Polk County CAFR 12/31/2008
Polk County CAFR 12/31/2007
Year Ending December 31, 2006
Year Ending December 31, 2005
Year Ending December 31, 2004

Golden Age Manor

Year Ending December 31, 2010
Year Ending December 31, 2009
Year Ending December 31, 2008
Board Presentation 06-23-2008
Year Ending December 31, 2007
Year Ending December 31, 2006
Year Ending December 31, 2005
Year Ending December 31, 2004

Want to know more?

Polk County’s books are open to the public, and staff welcome any questions you may have.  Simply email us at deptadmin@co.polk.wi.us or give us a call at (715) 485-8848. 

Remember to check this page often, as we’ll be regularly adding new material!