Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to determine if banking transactions were adequately safeguarded for the period January 1, 2014 through March 27, 2017.

Background

The Chautauqua Utility District, which is located within the Town of Chautauqua in Chautauqua County, provides water, sewer and lighting services to approximately 1,400 customers. The District, which is governed by an elected five-member Board of Commissioners, was established by an act of the New York State Legislature in 1934. Budgeted appropriations for 2016 totaled approximately $1.3 million.

Key Findings

• The Board has not adopted comprehensive written policies or adequately segregated financial duties to properly monitor banking activities.
• Our analysis of electronic transfers to the payroll and pension accounts showed an unidentified balance totaling approximately $3,100 in the payroll account and an unidentified balance totaling approximately $3,900 in the pension account.

Key Recommendations

• Develop policies and procedures for banking activities which include segregating duties and monitoring and overseeing transactions.
• Conduct an analysis of the payroll and pension accounts to determine the nature and source of the excess money held in these accounts.