[read complete report – pdf]

Audit Objective 

Determine whether the Woodbourne Fire District (District) Board of Fire Commissioners (Board) provided adequate oversight of the District’s financial operations.

Key Findings 

The Board did not provide adequate oversight of the District’s financial operations. As a result, the Board hindered their ability to make informed financial decisions and levied taxes that were more than necessary to fund operations. The Board did not: 

• Ensure the Treasurer/Secretary (Treasurer) maintained basic accounting records and reports or provided regular financial reports to the Board.
• Perform a thorough audit of all claims prior to payment. 
• Adopt realistic budgets or maintain reasonable levels of fund balance.The District’s December 31, 2022 fund balance was enough to fund nearly two and a half years of expenditures. 
• Develop and adopt policies and procedures for the District’s financial operations, including controls for wire transfers, online banking, investments, procurement, travel and conferences, fund balance, reserves, credit card use and capital assets.
• Transparently set aside funds for future building and equipment needs.

Key Recommendations 

• Maintain proper accounting records and reports and ensure the Board receives appropriate financial reports.
• Adopt realistic budgets and properly audit all claims prior to payment. 
• Develop and adopt financial plans for maintaining a reasonable level of fund balance.

District officials generally agreed with our recommendations and have initiated or indicated they planned to initiate corrective action. Appendix B includes our comments on issues that were raised in the District’s response letter.