Town of German Flatts - Financial Condition and Conflict of Interest (2019M-222)

Issued Date
February 14, 2020

[read complete report - pdf]

Audit Objective

Determine whether the Town Board:

  • Adequately managed the Town’s financial condition, and
  • Ensured that Town officials did not have prohibited interests in Town contracts.

Key Findings

  • The Board has not adequately managed the Town’s financial condition. The combined fund balance of the four main operating funds declined $144,719, from a $57,650 deficit balance at the end of 2014 to a $202,369 deficit balance of at the end of 2018.
  • The Board has not adopted multiyear financial and capital plans.
  • A Board member had a prohibited interest in Town contracts totaling approximately $782,100.

Key Recommendations

  • Develop and adopt budgets with realistic estimates of revenues and expenditures based on historical trends or other known factors.
  • Develop and adopt multiyear financial and capital plans.
  • Ensure that officials and employees are familiar with and follow the requirements General Municipal Law as they relate to conflicts of interest.

Town officials agreed with our recommendations and indicated they planned to take corrective action.