LEESVILLE, La. — The City of Leesville has received one of the strongest financial audits in its history, placing the municipality in what auditors describe as outstanding condition. The annual audit, presented this week, showed no compliance issues, a completely clean unmodified opinion, and financial reserves that far exceed national benchmarks.

According to Burton Kolder CPA, whose firm performs 35 to 40 municipal audits each year, the results speak for themselves. “Whoever takes over this city is going to be taking over a city that’s in great shape,” Kolder said during the presentation.

The report highlighted a steady upward trend since 2021. Each year the city has increased its financial stability, its operating reserves and its ability to fund essential services without strain.

One of the most striking figures is the city’s current operating equity. Leesville now has 559 days of reserves in the bank. That equals 18.6 months of operating revenue even if every income source suddenly stopped. For comparison, the national standard for cities is roughly sixty days. Leesville has nearly nine times that amount.

Financial performance in the most recent fiscal year also exceeded expectations. Revenues came in 3.15 percent higher than projected while expenses finished 9.07 percent below what was budgeted. This strong combination in the year ended June 30, 2025 and from the operating results in previous years, enabled the City of Leesville to have a true cash surplus of about 19.2 million dollars at June 30, 2025. The city has also consistently increased its days of surplus operations every year since 2021.

The audit also pointed to higher spending on repairs and improvements to public infrastructure. Roads, water systems and public facilities saw increased investment. These upgrades were completed while the city still operated under budget. The water and sewer system in particular continues to show a healthy operating margin with revenue outperforming costs, a challenge for many municipalities across Louisiana.

Kolder noted that out of all the audits his firm conducts for cities across the state, Leesville’s stands out as one of the strongest. With rising reserves, responsible budgeting and no compliance problems, the city is entering the next fiscal year in a position of exceptional strength.

City officials say the results reflect years of careful planning and financial discipline. The audit confirms that Leesville is not only stable but thriving and prepared for future growth.

NOTE: The official audit report for FY 2024-25 will not be published until it has been presented during the City Council meeting on December 8, 2025. View Older Financial Reports Here