Audit Objective 

Determine whether the Crown Point Fire District (District) Board of Fire Commissioners (Board) adequately oversaw the District’s financial operations.

Key Findings 

The Board did not adequately oversee the District’s financial operations. As a result, the Board cannot assure taxpayers and other interested parties that the District’s financial operations are adequately accounted for and reported.

• For the 24 months reviewed, the Board did not receive Treasurer’s reports of collection and disbursement details for three months; cash balances for two months; and bank reconciliations, bank statements and cancelled check images for 19 months. As a result, the Board’s ability to assess and monitor the District’s financial activity was diminished.
• As of December 31, 2023, required annual audits for 2017 through 2022 were not conducted. As a result, there is no independent verification that the Secretary-Treasurer has properly recorded collections and disbursements and maintained current and accurate records and reports.
• Required annual financial reports (AFRs) for 2018 through 2022 were not filed. When AFRs are not filed in a timely manner, it results in diminished transparency to the Board, taxpayers, Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) and other interested parties.

Key Recommendations 

• Ensure the Board receives complete financial reports and records.
• Ensure an annual audit is performed and the required AFRs are properly filed.

District officials generally agreed with our recommendations and have initiated, or indicated they planned to initiate corrective action.