[read complete report – pdf] 

Audit Objective 

Determine whether the Rhinecliff Fire District (District) Board of Fire Commissioners (Board) provided adequate oversight of District financial activities.

Key Findings 

The Board did not adequately provide oversight of financial operations. As a result, the Board hindered their ability to make informed financial decisions and cannot assure taxpayers and other interested parties that the District’s financial activities are adequately accounted for and reported. Specifically, the Board did not collectively complete mandated financial oversight training or: 

• Ensure proper accounting records were maintained.
• Ensure that the District’s required Annual Financial Reports (AFR) were filed for the past 15 years. The 2009 AFR is almost 6,000 days late.
• Develop and adopt a code of ethics, investment policy or procurement policy, as required by New York State General Municipal Law (GML) sections 806, 808 and 39, respectively.
• Ensure bank reconciliations were performed.
• Conduct an annual audit of the Secretary- Treasurer’s (Treasurer) records.
• Develop and adopt written multiyear financial and capital plans.
• Adequately audit claims prior to payment.

Key Recommendations 

• Develop and adopt policies, procedures and plans for the District’s financial operations.
• Ensure an annual audit is performed and the required AFRs are properly filed.
• Complete mandatory fiscal oversight training.
• Ensure that claims are properly audited and approved before payment.

District officials generally agreed with our findings and indicated they plan to initiate corrective action.