Patchogue Village- State Audit Report Issued Aug. 24, 2012

I sat at a local restaurant and enjoy a great meal.  As I asked the perky waitress for the check, she promptly obliged.  I look at the bill and realize that I was charged for a tasty morsel that I never received.  I politely asked for an explanation and I courteously received a credit and an apology.

As I go bolting, with coupons in hand thru the checkout lines in one of the new super markets in town I see that the price comes up incorrectly on the fresh watermelon I selected.  I mentioned it to the Associate and they made the necessary adjustments in a blink of an eye.

I receive that cell phone bill in the mail and realize that there are “411” requests that have been charged to the account and I have never use “411” on my cell phone.  It is just to DARN EXPENSIVE!  I am hitting *2 in a flash to get that rectified.

I am sure these examples are familiar to everyone, and equally familiar as the notice we receive twice a year reminding us to pay our Taxes to the Town and our Village or incur penalties and interest.  As a struggling single employed, two time cancer survivor, home owning middle class American and Village of Patchogue Taxpayer, I have to care how my money is spent.  It is common knowledge that for many Americans today it means the choice between putting food on the table or a roof over their heads. 

Our Village has grown in leaps and bounds over the past years and our local government needs to catch up.  The State Audit has shown that.  Let’s not proceed on a witch hunt, but on a solution oriented discussion.  I had questions regarding the State Audit and wrote to the email on the back page. 

I would like to share the chain of emails with the Residents and maybe some of these basic questions offer you insight.   Let us use this opportunity to forge common goals, and strategic plans, to offer suggestions and possible solutions.  Many communities look at Patchogue in “awe” and wonder how it continues its metamorphosis.  Let the Residents lead by example reinforcing that we are a community of doer’s and not just complainers and hope our leaders will listen. 

To: Pnovak@osc.state.ny.us, Muni-Hauppauge@osc.state.ny.us, 

Date:  09/04/2012 01:27 PM      
                                  
                                                                                                                                   
Good afternoon Mr. Novak,
I have read the recent Audit performed on the Village of Patchogue, NY for
the period covering June 1, 2012-June 30, 2011   (2012M-76) and have listed
a few questions below.
Throughout the document it states that there was a violation of the General
Municipal Law as well as Local Finance Law.
It is my understanding that the Village Officials have 90 days to put the
recommendations made by the Audit team in the form of a CAP.
1.   I would like to know what is the date that the CAP should be at
the OSC Office?  The audit is dated as just AUGUST 2012.
2.   I would like to know how are the misappropriated funds re-claimed?
3.  I would like to know what type of penalty is incurred for the
violations of the Municipal and Local Finance Laws?
 4.  I would like to know who is responsible to pay the penalties if any?
  5.  Who is responsible to compensate the tax payers of the Village?
If there are no penalties or reclamation of funds, what benefit does the
Taxpaying Resident's derive from an Audit being done?
Your comments are greatly appreciated.
Laureen Prendergast, NuVillage Civic Association of Patchogue

From: muni-Hauppauge@osc.state.ny.us
Cc: PNOVAK@osc.state.ny.us, WFiorello@osc.state.ny.us
Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2012 16:20:14 -0400
Good Afternoon Ms. Prendergast,
Thank you for your email inquiring about our recent audit of the Village of
Patchogue (2012M-76).  You listed five questions in which I have answered
as follows: The audit report was issued on August 24, 2012, so the CAP should be at the OSC office 90 days from that date (November 22, 2012).
The issue of misappropriated funds is being handled by the Suffolk
County District Attorney's office. We have no further information on this
issue.
While our report indicates that the Village was often not in
compliance with Municipal and Local Finance Laws, there is no "penalty"
incurred.
As mentioned above, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office is
handling the issue of misappropriated funds.
As stated in our report, our office oversees the fiscal affairs of local
governments such as your village. Our audits identify opportunities for
improving operations and village board governance. The audit's results and
recommendations are resources for village officials to use in effectively
managing operations and meeting the expectations of you, the taxpayer.
If you have any more questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me
at 631-952-6534.
Thanks, Ira McCracken, Chief Examiner, Office of the State Comptroller
Division of Local Government and School Accountability
Phone: 631-952-6534, Fax: 631-952-6530
                                                                                                                       
To: muni-Hauppauge@osc.state.ny.us,
Date: 09/04/2012 05:09 PM
Dear Mr. McCracken,Thank you for your prompt response.  Can you clarify one thing for me.  Is the reference you made to the DA's office investigating misappropriation of funds regarding the current investigation regarding former employee Ms. Roach? Or is it regarding the issues discovered as a result of the audit?

Thank you.Laureen Prendergast, NuVillage Civic Association of Patchogue

From: muni-Hauppauge@osc.state.ny.us
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2012 08:41:14 -0400
Good Morning Ms. Prendergast,
The reference I made to the DA's office investigating the misappropriation
of funds is regarding the former employee Ms. Roach.
Thanks, Ira McCracken, Chief Examiner

To: muni-Hauppauge@osc.state.ny.us,                                              
  Date: 09/05/2012 09:10 AM                               
                                                                                             

Good Morning Mr. McCracken,
Thank you for the clarification. As a struggling single, two time cancer survivor, middle class American and Village Resident Taxpayer, the way my money is allocated and utilized is
extremely important to me.  When the needs of Village Resident's are overlooked and disregarded in numerous ways and with an Audit that turns up unexplainable issue, it compounds my concerns.  Is it possible for the OSC to explain to me a taxpayer of the Village of Patchogue why infractions against both Municipal and Local Finance Law, unaccounted for funds, and improper procedure implementation are not considered violations in this situation?  If for some reason the OSC can not explain this is it possible to direct me to a specific person within another State Agency that would be able to answer this question for
me.

Thank you, Laureen Prendergast, NuVillage Civic Association of Patchogue
 
From: muni-Hauppauge@osc.state.ny.us
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2012 10:09:32 -0400

Ms. Prendergast,

You requested an explanation as to why infractions against both Municipal
and Local Finance, unaccounted funds, and improper implementation are not
considered violations in this situation. OSC is strictly a reporting agency
and therefore we have no enforcement authority. Our reports are for the
local officials to use in order to help manage their operations. In
addition, our reports are tools for the taxpayers to use in order to get an
understanding of how the local government is being run. Our report did not
discuss unaccounted funds, but when issues such as that arise, we would
refer our report the local District Attorney's office.

I hope this explanation gives you a better understanding of our office.

Thanks again, Ira McCracken, Chief Examiner, Office of the State Comptroller