Audit Objective 

Determine whether the Stafford Fire Department’s (Department) Board and Treasurer properly managed the Department’s finances.

Key Findings 

The Board and Treasurer did not properly manage the Department’s finances. The Board did not adopt realistic budgets or take an active role in monitoring Department finances. As a result, the operating budget was underestimated by $29,667 in 2021 and by $33,298 in 2022.

The Board did not: 

• Include revenue estimates in the budgets for 2021, 2022 and 2023.
• Develop realistic budgets, as certain expense estimates were omitted or overstated in the operating budgets.
• Develop a written multiyear financial or capital plan to help guide budget development and save for capital asset and equipment purchases.

Key Recommendations 

• Review and adopt structurally balanced budgets that contain realistic revenue and expense estimates.
• Develop a written multiyear financial and capital plan.

While Department officials disagreed with certain findings, they generally agreed with our recommendations and indicated they would initiate corrective action. Appendix B includes our comments on issues raised in the Department’s response.