State Comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli, instructs East Greenbush officials to 'step up' oversight of ambulance squad in audit report Published: Saturday, November 27, 2010
By Dave Canfield The Record
EAST GREENBUSH — Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said town officials need to “step up” their oversight of the town’s ambulance squad in the wake of an audit that found the squad has spent $400,000 in public funds since 2008 without input or oversight from the Town Board.
The audit identified a number of ways in which the town, which first entered into a contract with the W.F. Bruen Ambulance Squad in 2008 and later renewed it through 2013, failed to adhere to the responsibilities outlined in the contract between the two parties.
“East Greenbush officials need to step up and take a more active role in supervising the activities of its ambulance district and make sure that the district’s revenue is properly turned over to the town,” DiNapoli said in a statement accompanying the report, which his office released Friday, but has been available on the town’s website since earlier this month.
Among problems identified during the period auditors studied — Jan. 1, 2008 to Oct. 1, 2009 — was the town’s failure to establish the costs the squad would charge residents who utilize ambulance services. Those fees, along with a tax levy, fund the services the squad provides to 15,500 residents and were to be set by the town under the terms of the contract.
Auditors found that the town allowed the squad to establish those fees on its own. It collecting $409,599 in 2008 and $441,820 in 2009, and funds collected were spent without input or oversight from Town Hall, according to the audit.
“Because the fees are municipal charges and the moneys collected belong to the town, the Board must ensure that a system of rules and regulations is established to require proper recordkeeping and accounting by the party responsible for the billing and collecting,” the report reads.
The auditors concluded that, while the town can authorize the squad to collect the fees, the funds should be turned over to the town, which can then pay the ambulance squad as per the contract for services rendered.
Supervisor Rick McCabe has previously said he was satisfied with the results of the audit. In an October letter to auditors, he wrote that the Town Board has been working this year to amend the contract.
“The Town Board is committed to implementing all recommendations outlined in the examination to ensure Tax Payer funds will be utilized appropriately,” he wrote.
The report also cited inadequate controls in the town over credits granted to squad volunteers that provide pension-like benefits, and auditors also found the town sold or transferred ownership of three ambulance squad vehicles without following proper procedures for approval.
Rotterdamians still don't know what rems did with the als monies they collected! Did this town board request an audit before following through with this vote?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Rotterdamians still don't know what rems did with the als monies they collected! Did this town board request an audit before following through with this vote?
Yes, but there won't be enough time to get an answer.
ROTTERDAM SUPERVISOR FRANK DEL GALLO SEEKS AUDIT OF REMS Supervisor Frank Del Gallo wants to commission an independent audit of Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services Inc. less than a week before Dec. 14, when town residents are to vote on a tax district to support the ambulance company.
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