At a time when many in the City of Natchez are waiting for the other shoe to drop in the issue of the city’s finances and its apparently poor bookkeeping, Adams County has been commended for its financial management.

Adams County officials received a letter from State Auditor Stacy Pickering, recognizing its achievement based on receiving no issues in the latest county audit.

Adams County Administrator Joe Murray said part of the secret to good financial accounting and management is having the right people in the right place.

We couldn’t agree more.

On Tuesday, an auditor from the Gillon Group presented the city’s board of aldermen with the findings of its 2012-13 fiscal year audit, which was due on June 30, 2014. By all account, the completion of the audit was delayed because of the poor condition of the city’s record keeping.

As expected, the audit’s finding was far from one worthy of praise.

City leaders took a step toward getting the right people in the right positions when it worked last year to move the city clerk’s position, which is currently held by Donnie Holloway, to one that is appointed by city officials, rather than an elected position.

Managing public revenues and following all of the guidelines required for doing so requires specific education, experience and expertise.

We hope the city’s leaders will make the often-difficult decisions necessary to get the city’s coffers in a condition worthy of the trust of Natchez residents.