Town of Brookhaven Local Development Corporation – Project Approval and Monitoring (2021M-188)

Issued Date
July 15, 2022

[read complete report - pdf]

Objective

Determine whether the Town of Brookhaven Local Development Corporation (Corporation) Board of Directors (Board) properly approved and monitored projects.

Key Findings

The Board did not properly approve and monitor projects and did not:

  • Incorporate job creation and retention goals into each project’s resolution. Consequently, the Board cannot determine whether the projects are meeting their intended purposes. While the Board Chairman, CEO and CFO questioned whether setting goals was practical, and said it was not legally required, the Board should strive to ensure that Town residents realize increased prosperity and economic benefit from the projects that the Corporation approves. To do so, the Board must establish measurable goals for all approved projects and monitor the projects to ensure these goals are met.
  • Establish written project approval and monitoring policies or procedures.

Key Recommendations

  • Establish measurable project goals and ensure authorizing resolutions include these goals.
  • Develop and adopt a policy that establishes procedures for approving and monitoring projects.

Corporation officials generally agreed with our findings and recommendations and indicated they will take corrective action. Appendix B includes our comments on issues raised in the Corporation’s response letter.