Whatcom County passed a financial audit of its 2011 books, the state reported late last month.

The state Auditor's Office found no deficiencies in the county's accounting that might allow for improper use of public funds, according to a report dated Sept. 26.

The audit reviewed the city's ability to catch financial misstatements, and its compliance with government accounting standards and with requirements imposed by federal funding programs.

The clean audit included the county's "business-type activities," primarily the Lummi Island ferry system.

The county corrected a finding from 2010 about how it recorded federal funding that paid part of the salary of a prosecutor who was assigned to the drug task force, the audit said.

The county's fund for general operating expenses was $69.1 million in 2011, according to the audit. The number of employees in county government was 826 last year, down from 935 in 2009.

Reach RALPH SCHWARTZ at ralph.schwartz@bellinghamherald.com or call 360-715-2289. Read the Politics Blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics.