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 Evans, Town of Fort Edward and the Town of Schodack.

"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 Evans – Internal Controls Over Selected Financial Activities (Erie County)
The town board and supervisor did not provide adequate oversight of the town's financial activities or monitor the use of debt proceeds to ensure they were appropriately used and properly accounted for. Town officials allowed the water fund to sustain repeated operating losses. Further, the board did not ensure that the director of finance maintained accurate or timely information.

Town of Fort Edward – Accounting Records and Information Technology (Washington County)
The town's annual financial reports (AUD) contained inaccuracies, some of which apparently persisted for several years. The town has filed the required AUD significantly late every year from 2007 through 2010. In addition, the town did not establish written information technology policies to address acceptable computer use and provide security awareness to computer users in both the town and village who access the network. The town did not establish a disaster recovery plan or a breach notification policy as required by law.

Town of Schodack – Purchasing (Rensselaer County)
The town procured goods and services in accordance with policy and statutory requirements. Town employees were aware of the bid requirements and the procurement requirements. Purchases were made based on an evaluation of the need for compliance with statutory requirements, or the obtaining of the appropriate number of requests for proposals (RFPs), written quotes or verbal quotes, as designated in the purchasing policy.

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