Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to review the Town’s financial management and budgeting practices for the period January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2014.

Background

The Town of Springport is located in Cayuga County and has a population of approximately 2,400. The Town is governed by an elected five-member Town Board. Budgeted appropriations for 2015 total approximately $1.97 million.

Key Findings

• The Town could not provide a Board resolution that properly established the building reserve fund.
• The Board underestimated revenues and overestimated expenditures for the town-wide general fund, causing positive budgetary variances from 2009-14 of $767,836.
• The Town appropriated more fund balance than was actually available which led to deficits in unexpended fund balance.

Key Recommendations

• Ratify and legalize the existing building reserve or transfer its money into other reserve funds with the same tax base to the extent permitted by statute.
• Adopt budgets that include realistic estimates of revenues and expenditures.
• Implement a financial plan to reduce the town-wide general fund’s unexpended fund balance deficit.