Village of Pittsford – Board Oversight (2017M-51)

Issued Date
July 21, 2017

Purpose of Audit

The purpose of our audit was to review the Board’s oversight of the Village’s financial operations for the period June 1, 2015 through November 16, 2016.

Background

The Village of Pittsford is located in the Town of Pittsford in Monroe County and has a population of approximately 1,400. The Village is governed by an elected five-member Board of Trustees. Budgeted appropriations for the 2016-17 fiscal year totaled approximately $1.3 million.

Key Findings

  • Village officials developed budgets for the general fund that had insufficient appropriations and adopted sewer fund budgets with overestimated appropriations.
  • From 2013-14 through 2015-16, the unrestricted general fund balance decreased by approximately $375,000 (65 percent).
  • Village officials did not always seek competition when selecting professional service providers.

Key Recommendations

  • Adopt budgets that realistically reflect the Village’s operating needs based on historical or other known trends.
  • Monitor the level of fund balance and ensure that budgets are structurally balanced.
  • Update the procurement policy to provide clear guidance for procuring professional services in an economical manner and establish how documentation supporting such decisions should be maintained.