New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced his office completed audits of the Clifton Park Water Authority, Cortland County Industrial Development Agency, Middle Country Public Library and Otsego County.

“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.”

Clifton Park Water Authority – Water Charges (Saratoga County)

Authority officials did not establish an adequate system of internal controls over water charges. No one independent of the billing clerk reviewed the billing registers and cash collections were not deposited in a timely manner or properly secured prior to deposit.

Cortland County Industrial Development Agency – Project Management

Agency officials have developed adequate procedures for selecting and monitoring participating projects and for managing the assistance and incentives provided to businesses.

Middle Country Public Library – Treasurer (Suffolk County)

The treasurer does not maintain any accounting records or prepare and submit monthly reports to the board. In addition, the treasurer’s status, as either a library officer or independent contractor, is unclear. Because the treasurer is responsible for the care and custody of library funds, the board cannot delegate these functions to an independent contractor.

Otsego County – Cost of Temporary Housing

Costs associated with the department of social services’ temporary housing program are higher than in four neighboring counties. From 2006 through 2014, annual temporary housing costs in the county have increased by 400 percent from almost $183,000 to over $909,000.