An audit released on September 8, 2023, highlighted significant shortcomings in the Town of Venice’s financial records maintained by the Town Supervisor. The review aimed to assess the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of the Supervisor’s accounting records and reports.
The examination revealed that many records were not up-to-date or accurate, affecting transparency and the Board’s monitoring capabilities. Of the scrutinized transactions, $3.1 million from 20 cash receipts either had discrepancies with bank deposits or lacked proper documentation. Additionally, $4.8 million from 25 cash receipts were not recorded promptly. On the disbursement side, 11 transactions worth $39,038 were missing from the accounting records, and eight disbursements amounting to $33,021 lacked necessary supporting documents and had not received Board approval. The audit also found that the Town’s annual update documents for 2020 were filed 310 days late, and those for 2021 and 2022 were not filed at all. Further, the Supervisor failed to present financial reports to the Board as mandated.
Background information revealed that the Town, situated in Cayuga County, experienced a transition when the previous Supervisor resigned in August 2020. The succeeding Supervisor maintained the former Supervisor as a bookkeeper until March 2021, with a total of three individuals serving the role during the audit period, which spanned from January 1, 2020, to April 27, 2023. Following the audit’s recommendations for more accurate and timely financial record-keeping, town officials expressed agreement and a commitment to corrective action.
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