Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to review selected financial operations of the Town for the period January 1 through December 31, 2013.

Background

The Town of Southold is located in Suffolk County and has a population of approximately 23,200. The Town is governed by an elected six-member Town Board. Budgeted appropriations for 2013 were approximately $47.9 million.

Key Findings

• The Town does not have effective policies and procedures to ensure that cash is properly safeguarded in the Receiver of Taxes, Town Clerk and Waste Management Departments, and job duties in these departments were not adequately segregated.
• The Board did not ensure that Town officials followed statutory bidding requirements and the Town’s procurement policy.
• The Board did not ensure that policies and procedures over timekeeping were followed.

Key Recommendations

• Ensure than an adequate system of policies and procedures is established over collecting and recording cash receipts and properly segregate duties.
• Ensure that Town officials comply with New York State General Municipal Law and the Town’s policy requirements when obtaining goods and services.
• Enforce and monitor timekeeping policies and ensure that all Town employees are using the Town’s timekeeping system.