ST. PAUL &045; State Auditor Pat Anderson released a report today on the finances of Minnesota’s townships. The report, Minnesota Township Finances, includes information on the revenues, expenditures, and debt of townships for the year ended Dec. 31, 2004.

“According to our report, Minnesota’s townships continue to be in excellent fiscal health,” stated Anderson. “This is especially noteworthy because of all local governments in the state, townships are the most self-sufficient, relying the least on aid from the federal or state governments.”

For the first time ever, all 1,790 townships in Minnesota reported their financial information to the State Auditor as required by law. This represents an all-time record high for compliance. As recently as 1999, 116 townships failed to report.

The record low number of non-compliant townships is a testament to the responsiveness of townships and an aggressive effort on the part of the Office of the State Auditor to ensure that all local governments are reporting their required financial data in a timely manner.

In addition, the report is being issued earlier then ever as a result of the State Auditor’s efforts to speed up the reporting and review process.

“One of the most important components of accountability is information,” said Anderson, “That is why I believe it’s important that we put the audited and reviewed financial information in the hands of citizens and policymakers as quickly as possible.”