[read complete report – pdf]

We also issued 10 individual reports to the following Counties: Greene, Jefferson, Madison, Nassau, Niagara, Orange, Seneca, Tompkins, Washington and Wyoming.

Audit Objective 

Determine whether officials in 10 county (County) departments of weights and measures (Departments) adequately provided consumer protections by helping to ensure the accuracy of retail prices and weighing and measuring devices.

Key Findings 

Officials in the 10 County Departments did not always adequately provide consumer protections by helping to ensure the accuracy of retail prices and weighing and measuring devices. As a result, consumers were at increased risk of not paying the correct price for goods and services.

• Nine Departments did not adopt price accuracy testing procedures.
• Eight Departments did not perform periodic price accuracy tests.
• None of the Departments completed all required testing of weighing and measuring devices or maintained complete inspection records.
  • 430 of 1,793 devices that we reviewed (24 percent) were not inspected.
  • Reliable systems were not in place to maintain complete and accurate master lists of businesses that use devices that required testing or update the inventory of devices.
• Four Departments did not have documentation to support 25 of 74 (34 percent) reported consumer complaints and the actions taken to address them.

Key Recommendations 

• Develop and implement procedures for periodic price accuracy testing.
• Perform testing in accordance with the AML and Agriculture and Markets regulations.
• Maintain complete records, including an inventory of businesses and consumer complaints.