“This rural community maintains “excessive” amounts of surplus instead of using it to reduce residents’ taxes and poor record keeping leaves the town court system in danger of being ripped off, according to an audit by the office of state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
The examination of Duanesburg’s finances from January 2010 to March 2011 also determined that the municipality’s computer data system could be compromised because of inadequate procedures for backing up files or remote access for outside vendors.
From 2006 to 2010, the Town Board adopted budgets that underestimated revenues by $1.4 million and overestimated expenditures by about $235,000, contributing to an annual operating surplus that averaged $195,000, the audit found. As a result of that “pattern of unrealistic budgeting and excessive tax levies,” the town had $2 million in its general fund coffers at the end of 2010, according to the audit.
Supervisor Renee Merrihew explained Monday that about $850,000 of the surplus had been “informally” allocated for the proposed expansion of Town Hall, upgrades to Highway Department equipment, construction of a Veterans Park and repairs to two other parks and playgrounds.”
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Nelson, Paul. Times Union 23 April 2012.