FOR RELEASE:

Comptroller DiNapoli Releases Municipal Audits

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced his office completed the audits of the Town of Cairo, Town of Erwin, Town of Lancaster, Owasco Fire District and the Woodstock Fire District.

"My office's audits of local governments improve their financial management practices," DiNapoli said. "These audits are tools for local officials to make sure proper policies and procedures are in place to protect taxpayer dollars and provide the best possible service these taxpayer dollars can deliver."

Town of Cairo – Audit Follow Up (Greene County)
Of the previous 20 audit recommendations, 11 were implemented, five were partially implemented, and four were not implemented.

Town of Erwin – Internal Controls Over Payroll (Steuben County)
The town board failed to provide proper oversight of the town's payroll process and delegated responsibilities to the town manager. The lack of internal controls over payroll processing allowed three town employees to receive $25,594 in pay raises without board approval, three managers to be paid $15,000 in improper bonuses, and the town clerk to receive improper payments totaling $1,000.

Town of Lancaster – Financial Management (Erie County)
The town invested approximately $2.5 million in a warehouse building that it no longer intends to use and lost approximately $440,000 in property tax revenue. Also, town officials did not properly protect the interests of taxpayers when they entered into fire protection agreements for the 2006 through 2010 fiscal years. Consequently, the town likely provided more compensation than necessary to four fire companies.

Owasco Fire District – Internal Controls Over Financial Operations (Cayuga County)
The district board generally does not provide adequate oversight of financial activities. The treasurer does not submit consistent monthly financial reports to the board and the board does not appropriately prepare and monitor annual budgets.

Woodstock Fire District – Purchasing (Ulster County)
The fire district did not have a formal process or procedures for obtaining and documenting quotes for goods and services that did not require competitive bids. The district also did not use competition when obtaining professional services, such as requests for proposals. As a result, district officials cannot be assured that they are procuring goods and services in the most prudent and economical manner.