KETCHUM — It was a year of tough decisions for Ketchum, with several city positions eliminated and cuts made in most departments. The measures seem to have worked, though, according to an audit of the city’s finances.

Dennis Brown, a Twin Falls certified public accountant, told the Ketchum City Council that the city has nearly $2 million in unrestricted assets that can be used to pay future bills, and that the city’s general fund earned $9.6 million, while$8.7 million was spent last fiscal year.

These numbers conform with those provided to the council earlier this year by city administrator Gary Marks.

“There have been Herculean efforts, miraculous decision making and unbelievable results,” Brown said to the council on Monday night, praising the city for riding out the economic recession so far. “The fall hit right at about the time the fiscal year began, and the revenues of the city were down by 20 percent. From an auditor’s point of view, that’s a headshaker. Way to go!”

The council was pleased with Brown’s report, saying it was proof that despite claims made by some candidates in the recent election, the city is on good financial footing and is making good financial decisions.

Mayor Randy Hall said the fiduciary responsibility of elected officials in the city is one of their highest duties, and he praised the council for making two difficult “course corrections” during the past year.

“It’s hard to come up here and not say, ‘I told you so,’” Marks said with a laugh.

Hall also praised the city administrator for his advice to the council. “You’ve done a great job helping steer this ship through the economic waters,” he said.

A copy of the full audit is available on Ketchum’s Web site, Ketchumidaho.org, by downloading the Nov. 16 council packet from the “public notices/agendas/meeting documents” tab.

Ariel Hansen may be reached at ahansen@magicvalley.com or 208-788-3475.