Southtowns Record

Town of West Seneca - Capital Project Management (2019M-195)

Government
Town of West Seneca
Posted by publisher
Mar 6, 2020
Kind
State audit
Topics
Budget and taxes, Audits and oversight, Parks and recreation

Publisher's summary

The Board did not properly plan and manage the capital project and clearly inform taxpayers when the estimated cost and scope of the project changed. In addition, the Board was not fully transparent on the anticipated project costs. As a result, original estimates were $9.8 million and increased by more than $3.6 million after competitive bids were received. When inaccurate costs are included in project estimates, there is an increased risk that the Board may issue more debt than necessary to finance the project because funding is available to pay for costs that were not within the original project scope. Finally, Town officials did not ensure an itemized project budget outlining revenues and expenditures was maintained in the accounting records and periodically updated.

Original document

Text · page 9 of 14

it appears that they had adequate time to communicate accurate information to
the engineer and bond counsel. Additionally, if detailed itemized reports were
prepared, Town officials may have been able to identify and correct such reporting
errors. The other two grants totaling approximately $594,000 were received
on April 30, 2018, and two grants, totaling approximately $592,000, were still
outstanding at the end of our audit fieldwork.

When inaccurate costs are included in project estimates, there is an increased
risk that the Board may issue more debt than necessary. In addition, there is risk
the additional funding may be used for costs that were not in the original project
scope.

The Board and Town officials did not properly plan and manage the capital
project and clearly inform taxpayers when the estimated cost and scope of the
project changed. Had the Board provided more detailed and accurate budgetary
information and better explained how the financing sources would be used,
taxpayers would have been in a better position to make more informed decisions.

What Do We Recommend?
The Board should:

  1.  Prepare and approve an itemized budget and amend and update it as the
  project plan changes.

  2.  Ensure all Board action and proceedings are recorded in the official Board
  minutes to ensure transparency to taxpayers.

  3.  Ensure accurate cost estimate schedules or budgets are available in
  connection with the bond resolution.

The Supervisor should:

  4.  Ensure complete and accurate accounting records are maintained and
  provide the Board with monthly reports comparing actual revenues and
  expenditures to budgeted amounts.

  Of f ic e of t he New York State Comptroller  7