Village of West Hampton Dunes – Financial Operations (2013M-390)

Issued Date
August 08, 2014

Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to determine whether the Board properly monitored the Village’s financial operations for the period June 1, 2011 through December 31, 2012.

Background

The Village of West Hampton Dunes is located in the Town of Southampton in Suffolk County and has a population of approximately 55. The Village is governed by a Village Board, with the Mayor serving as the chief executive officer. General fund expenditures reported for fiscal years 2011-12 and 2012-13 were $1,337,445 and $1,469,736, respectively.

Key Findings

  • Over the last four fiscal years, the Treasurer filed the Village’s annual financial report with OSC late by as much as 951 days after the statutory filing due date.
  • Estimated revenues and expenditures in adopted budgets were not realistic, resulting in annual operating deficits totaling $445,023 over four years.
  • Because the procurement policy does not address methods for selecting professional service providers, Village officials are not ensuring that these services are obtained at the best possible price.

Key Recommendations

  • File annual financial reports with OSC within 60 days following the close of each fiscal year, as required by law, and ensure that the reports are accurate.
  • Adopt structurally balanced budgets that include realistic estimates of revenues and appropriations and carefully monitor budgets to prevent the recurrence of annual operating deficits.
  • Review and revise the procurement policy to address the use of competition when procuring professional services.