FERNDALE - A state audit of the city's handling of money and public access came up clean for at least the seventh year in a row, a track record good enough to earn Ferndale a year off from the accountability audit.

The audit report, released Nov. 5, said the city followed state law and its own policies in 2011 on such issues as payroll, utility payments, conflicts of interest and public meetings.

Following a recommendation from the State Auditor's Office, the city is now required to undergo the accountability audit once every two years, with the next audit scheduled for 2014. As a result, the city expects to save as much as $9,000 next year, City Clerk Sam Taylor said.

The state will continue to audit Ferndale's financial records annually. That will cost the city $5,800 next year, Taylor said.

Reach RALPH SCHWARTZ at ralph.schwartz@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2298.