By Lynn Bonner, includes “In a budget crisis, these entities can lose control of their finances to the state … State officials fear that finances of more local governments will crumble under the weight of pandemic-related sales tax losses and declines in water and sewer payments from commercial properties. State Auditor Beth Wood, a member of the Local Government Commission, is fed up with municipalities whose finances are in disarray, yet seek permission to borrow money. She’s also exasperated with late audits.”