The Moravia Joint Fire District could not show that nearly $590,000 in purchases were made at the best available price, according to an audit released by the state comptroller’s office.
Auditors found the district did not seek required competition for two vehicles and dozens of smaller purchases, while its procurement policy left a gap for certain purchases between $10,000 and $19,999.
The July audit covered operations from Jan. 1, 2024, through Feb. 12, 2026, with the review extended to 2022 for the purchase of a mini pumper fire truck. The district serves the town of Moravia in Cayuga County and is overseen by a five-member elected board.
The district purchased $863,092 in goods and services from Jan. 1, 2024, through Oct. 31, 2025. Auditors examined 42 purchases totaling $540,472 and said district officials could not support that $589,180 in spending was procured economically.
Vehicle purchases lacked competition
The district did not obtain competitive bids for two vehicles totaling $51,114, the report said.
Auditors also reviewed a mini pumper purchased in 2022 for which completed payments totaled $419,009, including $350,809 paid during the period tested and $68,200 paid in 2023. The district advertised for bids for about two weeks using 69 pages of specifications, engineering drawings and computer-aided design blueprints that included specific brands and models.
The vendor that prepared the specifications was the only bidder and submitted a price of $420,756, according to the report. Auditors said the board did not document a selection process for the company that wrote the specifications and instead used a vendor that had previously supplied a fire truck.
Quotes missing for smaller purchases
The comptroller’s office reviewed 39 purchases below bidding thresholds totaling $138,549. District records did not contain required quotes for 36 purchases totaling $118,051, including fire hoses, turnout gear and boots, and officials did not complete forms explaining why competition was not obtained.
The treasurer and two board members told auditors they were unaware of the district’s procurement policy, according to the report.
Auditors also questioned a $16,720 purchase of truck parts and repair services because the district did not document competition. The policy did not specify a process for purchases from $10,000 through $19,999, creating a gap between its quotation requirements and the state bidding threshold.
District plans policy changes
The comptroller recommended that the board comply with bidding requirements, document efforts to obtain competition and update and enforce its procurement policy.
Board Chair Daniel Gibson said in the district’s response that officials agreed with the recommendations. He said the district had hired an attorney who handles public bidding, would allow more time for bids, improve purchasing records and revise its policy, with formal adoption planned before August 2026.
The district must file a corrective action plan with the comptroller’s office within 90 days. State officials said implementation should begin by the end of the next fiscal year when practical and encouraged the district to make the plan available for public review.
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