Gorham Fire District officials did not always seek competition when buying goods and services, leaving taxpayers with less assurance that purchases were made economically and in the district's best interest, according to a June audit from the state comptroller's office.
The audit reviewed district procurement from Jan. 1, 2024, through March 25, 2026, and found that officials did not use competitive methods for 68 of 77 purchases reviewed, totaling $403,377.
The district provides fire protection in the town of Gorham in Ontario County and is overseen by a five-member Board of Fire Commissioners.
Auditors said the district purchased $475,224 in goods and services from Jan. 1, 2024, through Oct. 14, 2025, including $239,662 toward a building capital improvement project.
The comptroller's office said the district did not seek competitive bids for that capital project, which had an initial contract cost of $236,812 and later increased to $239,662. Officials told auditors the district contracted with the vendor because it had already worked with the vendor on project planning during the previous several years.
Auditors also found that officials did not ensure 62 purchases totaling $131,533 were procured economically before the district adopted a procurement policy on June 9, 2025.
After the policy was adopted, auditors said officials did not obtain required competition for five purchases totaling $32,182. Those included one purchase totaling $6,464 for cleaning firefighting gear exposed to hazardous chemicals, which officials described as urgent.
The report also said the district paid $120,333 to eight professional service providers without soliciting requests for proposals or using another competitive process. Auditors found the district's policy did not address professional services, public works contracts between $20,000 and $35,000, or purchases below $250.
Auditors also reviewed 23 billing periods and found the district paid at least $6,817 more for natural gas and electric supply than it needed to because it used an energy service company while the local utility company had lower rates.
The comptroller's office recommended that district officials follow statutes and policy, retain bid and quote documentation, use competition for professional services, periodically review utility rates and update the procurement policy.
District officials generally agreed with the recommendations. In a response included with the audit, Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman Wade Ayers said the volunteer board would implement changes to the purchasing policy and continue working to ensure public funds are used in taxpayers' best interest.
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