New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced his office completed audits of the Carthage-West Carthage Water Pollution Control Facility, City of Long Beach, Oneida Public Library, Village of Quogue and the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.

“In today’s fiscal climate, budget transparency and accountability for our local communities is a top priority,” said DiNapoli. “By auditing municipal finances and operations, my office continues to provide taxpayers the assurance that their money is being spent appropriately and effectively.”

Carthage – West Carthage Water Pollution Control Facility – Cash Disbursements (Jefferson County)

Both the clerk-treasurer and her deputy were able to perform all cash disbursement functions and have full access rights to record financial transactions in the accounting system with no oversight. Facility officials did not review bank reconciliations and bank statements and a comparison of canceled check images and online payments with approved abstracts.

City of Long Beach – Budget Review (Nassau County)

The significant revenue and expenditure projections in the proposed budget appear reasonable. The proposed budget, however, includes revenue related to the sale of real property and federal aid which may not be realized. In addition, appropriations for overtime may not be sufficient. Finally, metered water sales and sewer rents include a 2 percent rate increase which has not yet been adopted by the city council. The city’s proposed budget complies with the property tax levy limit.

Oneida Public Library – Cash Disbursements (Oneida County)

The board did not audit each claim before payment or provide oversight of disbursements related to the district’s line of credit, payroll or petty cash. Additionally, no district official reviewed the processed payroll reports before disbursing payroll checks.

Village of Quogue – Justice Court (Suffolk County)

The justices did not ensure that court moneys were accounted for. The court did not properly prepare bank reconciliations or prepare an accountability analysis, resulting in excess funds in bail and fee accounts which could not be accounted for.

Shelby Volunteer Fire Company – Controls Over Financial Activities (Orleans County)

The board does not ensure that all financial activity is properly recorded and reported and that money is properly accounted for. In addition, between April and November 2013, the fire company paid $10,714 to a vendor that was owned by the company president.

###

For access to state and local government spending and 50,000 state contracts, visit OpenBookNY. The easy-to-use website was created by Comptroller DiNapoli to promote openness in government and provide taxpayers with better access to the financial workings of government.