July 10, 2025

RICHLAND, Wash. – Port of Benton has received a clean audit opinion for calendar year 2023 from the Washington State Auditor’s Office (SAO). The audit reports, released online today, confirm the port maintains robust financial practices and a high standard of accountability and reflects the port’s commitment to transparency, financial responsibility and compliance with state and federal regulations.

“This outcome reflects the dedication and professionalism of our team,” said Diahann Howard, port executive director. “We strive to uphold the highest standards of fiscal responsibility and accountability for our taxpayers, tenants and community partners.”

The SAO completed three separate audits of the port, including:

• Financial Statement Audit – Examines and reports whether the port’s financial activities and statements are accurate and complete.
• Comprehensive Audit – Evaluates whether the port has adhered to applicable state laws and regulations, implemented good internal controls and followed its own policies and procedures.
• Single Audit – Examines whether the port has materially complied with state and federal requirements relating to grant activity. This audit also determines whether the port properly accounts for federal funds expended under grant awards.

The clean results across all three audits demonstrate that the port presented its financial statements fairly and accurately, has internal controls in place and used them effectively to safeguard public resources, and managed federal grant funds in compliance with federal requirements.

“Public accountability is at the core of our mission,” said Jeff Lubeck, port finance director. “These audit results underscore our commitment to continuous improvement, fiscal stewardship, compliance with regulatory standards and adhering to our policies and procedures.”

Read the port’s 2023 Accountability Audit report and the Financial and Single Audit report on the Washington State Auditor’s Office website. They are also on the Planning and Finance page on the port’s website.

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