Montana Code Annotated 2021

TITLE 2. GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION

CHAPTER 7. STUDIES, REPORTS, AND AUDITS

Part 5. Audits of Political Subdivisions

Publication

2-7-521. Publication. (1) (a) After the expiration of the 30-day period provided for in 2-7-515(1), the local government entity shall send a copy of each audit report to a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the local government entity. However, each county audit report must be sent to the official newspaper of the county.

(b) For an audit report of a county or an incorporated city or town, the county, city, or town shall send to the appropriate newspaper a copy of a summary of significant findings regarding the audit report. The summary, which may not exceed 800 words, must be prepared by the independent auditor and contain a statement indicating that it is only a summary and is not intended to be used as an audit report.

(2) For an audit report of a county or incorporated city or town, a newspaper is required to publish only:

(a) the summary of significant findings provided for in subsection (1)(b); and

(b) a statement to the effect that the audit report is on file in its entirety and open to public inspection.

(3) For an audit report of a local government entity other than a county or incorporated city or town, the newspaper is required to publish only the statement provided for in subsection (2)(b) and a statement providing that the audited local government entity will send a copy of the audit report to any interested person upon request.

(4) Publication costs must be borne by the audited local government entity.

History: En. 82-4523 by Sec. 9, Ch. 380, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 82-4523; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 386, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 140, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 607, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 17, Ch. 489, L. 1991.