New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced the following audits and reports were issued on April 5, 2021.
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MUNICIPAL AUDITS
Albany Water Board – Software Management (Albany County)
Auditors found software installed on Albany Water Board computers and mobile devices is not always appropriate and necessary. Auditors found unnecessary software on 60 computers (97 percent) and six mobile devices (32 percent) including gaming, streaming and shopping software. Officials did not establish controls to prevent computer and mobile device users from downloading applications from application stores.
Town of Greenwich – Purchasing (Washington County)
Town officials generally did not seek competition when purchasing goods and services. Of 50 purchases reviewed totaling $154,386 that required competitive quotes, 28 purchases totaling $81,857 lacked evidence of competition as required by the town’s purchasing policy. Diesel fuel aggregate purchases totaling $35,474 were not competitively bid as required by law.
Masonville Fire District – Financial Activities (Delaware County)
Auditors found the board did not provide adequate financial operations oversight. The board did not review supporting documentation for nine disbursements totaling $57,374. They did not approve 12 disbursements totaling $75,880 before payment nor did they audit the treasurer’s records. The board also did not ensure sensitive and personal electronic data was adequately protected because the treasurer used her personal computer to maintain district financial records and perform online banking transactions.
Middletown No. 1 Fire District – Annual Financial Reports (Delaware County) The treasurer did not file required annual financial reports with the Office of the State Comptroller for fiscal years 2015-2019 in compliance with General Municipal Law. District officials were not aware that these reports needed to be submitted.
SCHOOL DISTRICT AUDITS
Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District (Westchester County) Auditors found district officials generally used a competitive process to procure goods and services. However, they did not always seek competition for professional services.
Cherry Valley – Springfield Central School District – Financial Condition (Montgomery County and Otsego County) Officials effectively managed most aspects of the school district’s financial condition. However, they have not utilized their multiyear financial plans to help make financial decisions. Officials also have not adopted fund balance and reserve policies.
Hamilton Central School District – Procurement (Madison County) District officials did not always seek competition for the purchase of goods and services not subject to competitive bidding, as required by the district’s procurement policy. Officials did not seek competition for the services procured from five professional service providers totaling $658,164. In addition, officials did not obtain verbal and written quotes for the purchase of goods and services from 14 vendors totaling $126,907.
OTHER REPORTS
State Comptroller DiNapoli Statement on Impact of a Late State Budget - "The economic effects of the pandemic on the state’s finances are widespread and some sectors of our economy may take years to recover. The state Legislature and Governor are in the process of finalizing a new state budget. Many New Yorkers are hurting, and it is important that a final agreement is reached quickly."
State Contract and Payment Actions in February - In February, 2021, the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) approved 1,407 contracts for state agencies and public authorities valued at $109 billion and approved more than 20.3 million payments worth nearly $14 billion. OSC rejected 110 contracts and related transactions valued at $100 million and more than 8,000 payments valued at nearly $18.2 million, primarily for mistakes, insufficient support for charges, and improper payments. More information on these contracts and payments is available at www.openbooknewyork.com.