The state of California has announced that it will conduct a sweeping special audit of Mendocino County practices, including those connected to finance, contracts and procurements and elections overthe next 18 months once the governor signs off. According to MendoFever, the state controllers office will be releasing findings from a review of the County Auditor’s office functions next week. State audits are not unusual, with Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange and Alameda counties all being looked into. Senator Mike McGuire says the situation in Mendocino County has reached a tipping point, which is why he asked for approval of the special audit. Coast Supervisor Ted Williams, who has led board criticism of county financial reporting practices, said Thursday of the special state audit, “This is an appropriate next step.”