Audit Objective
Determine whether Arlington Fire District (District) officials used competitive methods to renovate Arlington Station 5 and appropriately disclosed interests in leasehold agreements.
Key Findings
Members of the Board did not use competitive methods to renovate leased firehouse space and did not adequately oversee leasehold agreements for renovations. Specifically, District officials:
- Approved a lease agreement, which included the District providing $248,000 in additional rent to fund renovations for the leased premises, without using a competitive procurement process.
- Approved one lease amendment that cost an additional $77,000 in materials costs without adequate documentation.
- Approved two lease amendments extending project completion date that cost taxpayers over $20,000 by not exercising reduced rent rate provisions.
In addition, a member of the Board who also serves as a Trustee of the Croft Corners Fire Company (Company) failed to disclose their financial interest in the lease agreement and lease amendments between the District and the Company (also referred to as Landlord).
Key Recommendations
- Comply with New York State General Municipal Law (GML) competitive bidding requirements.
- Oversee leasehold agreements for renovations and ensure that payments made by the District are supported.
- Ensure that members of the Board disclose interests in public contract.
Except as specified in Appendix A, officials agreed with our recommendations. Appendix B includes our comments on the District’s response.