New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced the following local government audits have been issued.

Village of Dering Harbor – Payroll (Suffolk County)

The board did not establish adequate controls over payroll and employee benefit payments. The board also did not require formal, written employment contracts to document terms of employment; job descriptions and responsibilities; work hours; salaries or hourly rates and employee benefits. In addition, the village paid overtime payments to employees as if they were independent contractors. Auditors also found the board approved reimbursements to employees for medical benefit claims without ensuring they had adequate supporting documentation.

Madison County – Temporary Courthouse Lease and Renovations

County officials paid more than $1.5 million to a limited liability company (LLC) to lease and renovate temporary courthouse space for a 19-month period. Auditors found county officials did not use a competitive process to lease and renovate the temporary courthouse space. Auditors determined officials paid the LLC a $500,000 deposit before any renovation work was completed or services rendered. They paid approximately $131,000 in renovation claims to the LLC without adequate supporting documentation.

Town of Orange – Budget Review (Schuyler County)

Certain significant revenue and expenditure projections in the town’s adopted budget for the 2021 fiscal year are not reasonable. Auditors’ review took into consideration the potential impact the COVID-19 pandemic may have on the town’s finances. They determined the general and highway fund revenues are potentially overestimated by $25,000. In addition, highway fund appropriations are underestimated by at least $17,900. The general fund’s 2020 ending fund balance is estimated at $64,000, which is sufficient to balance the 2021 budget. However, additional fund balance may be needed to replace revenue shortfalls and to supplement the highway fund. The deficit in the highway fund is estimated at $27,000 as of Dec. 1, 2020. The town’s 2021 adopted budget complies with the tax cap limit.

Village of Remsen – Clerk-Treasurer’s Records and Reports (Oneida County)

The clerk-treasurer did not maintain adequate records and reports to allow the board to properly manage village finances. Required annual financial reports were not completed or filed with the State Comptroller’s Office for any of the last four years (2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19). Fund transfers were not properly recorded and inadequate financial reports were provided to the board.

In addition, the board did not annually audit the clerk-treasurer’s records and reports, as required.

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