Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to review the Town’s internal controls over selected financial operations for the period January 1, 2012 through January 22, 2014.

Background

The Town of Catskill is located in Greene County and has a population of approximately 12,000. The Town is governed by an elected five-member Town Board, which is the legislative body responsible for managing Town operations. Budgeted appropriations for the 2014 fiscal year total approximately $7.1 million.

Key Findings

• The Board did not ensure that the Highway Superintendent safeguarded fuel inventories.
• The Board did not establish written policies and procedures for cash receipts for the senior center or the Receiver of Taxes.
• The Board did not review the Receiver of Taxes’ bank reconciliations and the Receiver had accumulated approximately $66,000 in taxpayer funds by the end of our audit period as a result of duplicate payments.
• The senior center had no formal methodology for determining the fair market value of items donated, and donations totaling $7,960 could not be located.
• Not all Town purchases were competitively bid or received the required number of quotations.

Key Recommendations

• Adopt adequate written policies and procedures establishing a framework for an effective system of internal controls.
• Ensure that the incompatible duties of the Town Clerk and Supervisor’s bookkeeper are not performed by the same individual.
• Annually audit or contract for an audit of the books and records of all departments that receive and disburse Town funds.
• Develop and adopt a comprehensive multiyear financial and capital plan to establish the goals and objectives for funding long-term operating and capital needs. The plan should be monitored and updated on an ongoing basis.