Lewis Crain, an independent, external auditor who examines the finances of several counties, complimented Fannin County for maintaining a general fund balance of $6.4 million, which is approximately 40% of the county's annual expenses. Counties are expected to keep at least 25% of its annual expenses in reserve to mitigate any unforeseeable disaster. In a year when the county was concerned about a possible budget shortfall, the county was actually able to finish the past fiscal year in the black by more than half a million dollars. "That means that either you over-budgeted, which is rare, or department heads held the budget down," remarked Crain. "That's the reason the county had a surplus of $552,000 in FY2023. You had a good year; I think you are in a good position for whatever happens next year. And I applaud you on this magnificent building."