Audits of Local Governments

The Office of the New York State Comptroller’s Division of Local Government and School Accountability conducts performance audits of local governments and school districts. Performance audits provide findings or conclusions based on an evaluation of evidence against criteria. Local officials use audit findings to improve program performance and operations, reduce costs and contribute to public accountability.

For audits older than 2013, contact us at [email protected].

For audits of State and NYC agencies and public authorities, see Audits.

Topics
Justice Court, Town | Justice Court

April 22, 2022 –

The Justices did not ensure all collections were properly collected, recorded, deposited, reported and remitted in a timely and accurate manner, or that all adjudicated cases were reported.

Village | Clerks

April 22, 2022 –

The former Treasurer did not record and deposit collections in an accurate manner.

Town | Clerks

April 15, 2022 –

The Clerk did not record, deposit, disburse or report all money collected in a timely and accurate manner.

School District | Utilities

April 15, 2022 –

The Board and District officials did not procure natural gas in accordance with New York State General Municipal Law (GML), at the most favorable terms or in the best interest of District taxpayers.

Village | Other

April 15, 2022 –

Significant revenue and expenditure estimates in the tentative budget are reasonable. The Village's tentative budget includes a tax levy of $12,029,454, which is within the limit established by law

Justice Court, Village | Justice Court

April 15, 2022 –

The Justices did not provide adequate oversight of Court operations. As a result, errors and irregularities were found in the Court's records.

School District | Purchasing

April 13, 2022 –

District officials did not demonstrate that certain goods and services were procured in accordance with the New York State General Municipal Law (GML) or the District’s procurement policies.

City | Other

April 8, 2022 –

City officials did not always assess and bill garbage fees in accordance with the City Code (Code). Officials also did not provide adequate oversight or develop policies and procedures for assessing and billing garbage fees.

Fire Company or Department | General Oversight

April 8, 2022 –

The Board did not provide adequate oversight of financial operations. The Board did not develop financial procedures for collections and disbursements, periodically monitor the budget or ensure the constitution (bylaws) were followed. As a result, neither the Company nor we were able to confirm all money was recorded and deposited intact.

School District | Purchasing

April 8, 2022 –

The purchasing agent did not ensure purchases adhered to the District's purchasing policy for goods and services not subject to competitive bidding. As a result, the purchasing agent approved 17 purchases totaling $150,961 without knowing whether the purchases were a prudent and economical use of taxpayer money, and in the District's best interest.

BOCES | Inventories

April 8, 2022 –

BOCES officials did not properly monitor and account for fixed assets. Thirty-two (64 percent) of the assets tested and valued at $64,300 were not properly accounted for.

City | Information Technology

April 8, 2022 –

City officials did not establish adequate controls to safeguard the network against unauthorized access or disruption.

City | Cash Disbursements

April 8, 2022 –

The Council did not provide sufficient oversight of the BID and the BID Plan lacked sufficient detail to allow City officials to adequately monitor the use of BID funds. As a result, the Council cannot evaluate the BID's effectiveness in achieving program goals or ensure the appropriate use of BID funds.

School District | Information Technology

April 8, 2022 –

District officials did not establish adequate controls over user accounts to help prevent against unauthorized use, access, and loss, and did not adopt an adequate IT contingency plan. In addition to sensitive IT control weaknesses that were communication confidentially to officials.

Industrial Development Agency, County | Claims Auditing

April 8, 2022 –

We reviewed 100 claims totaling $846,279 and determined they were for appropriate purposes and generally supported by adequate invoices and/or other documentation. However, none of these claims were independently reviewed and approved prior to payment.

Town | Employee Benefits

April 1, 2022 –

Town officials did not accurately maintain Department employee leave records. Leave balances for the former Deputy Highway Superintendent (Deputy) from 2015 through 2019 were overstated by a total of 362 hours valued at almost $8,000. Of this, 272.5 hours was from leave time not being properly recorded, while 89 hours was attributed to the Deputy's failure to use sick leave for lost time due to an occupational injury, which resulted in an overpayment of his health and dental premiums of $6,411.

School District | Employee Benefits

April 1, 2022 –

District officials did not accurately calculate separation payments or benefits for five of the 10 employees that we reviewed. Officials made separation payments totaling $38,477 that were inconsistent with language in the employees' CBA or employment contract.

School District | Financial Condition

April 1, 2022 –

The Board and District officials did not properly manage fund balance and reserves.

School District | Schools

April 1, 2022 –

Officials did not establish non-resident tuition (NRT) rates in the best interest of District taxpayers.

Town | Utilities

April 1, 2022 –

Town officials did not provide adequate oversight of water fund operations.