Former Seneca Falls Mayor Brad Jones renewed his yearslong push for greater fiscal oversight Tuesday, telling the Town Board that outside accounting costs, overtime and other spending decisions raise serious questions about the town’s financial controls as officials begin another budget cycle.
Jones, who served as mayor of the former Village of Seneca Falls more than 20 years ago, has been advocating on fiscal integrity issues for several years. During an extended presentation at the Sept. 1 board meeting, he said records obtained through Freedom of Information Law requests have only increased his concerns and urged town officials to move forward with a forensic audit previously authorized by the board.
“There’s a transparency issue on this town board,” Jones said.
Jones pointed to a forensic audit approved by the board earlier this year, saying seven months have passed without an auditor being hired. He said he independently identified several firms in the Syracuse, Rochester and Albany areas that perform that type of work and urged board members to move the process forward.
His presentation focused heavily on the town’s reliance on ProNexus, a Rochester-area firm providing outside accounting services.
Jones said records he obtained show the town paid ProNexus about $177,000 in 2025 and approximately $170,000 through mid-August this year. He argued those expenses could rise substantially because the firm is also expected to assist with preparation of the upcoming town budget.
Jones characterized the spending as part of a broader pattern that deserves additional scrutiny.
“You could hire a town manager,” Jones said while discussing the cost of outsourced financial services. “You could hire a department of three or four accountants to go forward.”
The discussion comes as Seneca Falls continues operating without a permanent town manager and works through other vacancies and organizational questions. A board member reported earlier in Tuesday’s meeting that officials recently interviewed a potential town manager candidate and that the interview went well.
Jones argued the absence of permanent financial and administrative leadership is particularly concerning as the town approaches development of its next budget.
“We don’t have anybody in this facility that has the knowledge to do what has to be done,” Jones said, questioning whether the town has enough financial expertise internally to manage its budget and financial operations.
He also raised concerns about overtime.
Jones said payroll records he obtained through FOIL showed approximately $366,000 in overtime paid to hourly town employees during 2025. He emphasized that his criticism wasn’t directed at town workers themselves, repeatedly describing employees positively, but questioned whether management is sufficiently controlling and reviewing overtime costs.
“Overtime is the new norm here at the town hall,” Jones said.
He said some employees received overtime payments substantial enough to significantly increase their total annual compensation and called on council members to examine those numbers by employee and department.
Another issue involved a town-owned residence associated with water operations. Jones said a previous Town Board voted in 2024 to increase rent from $500 to $900 per month beginning Jan. 1, 2025, but that the higher amount initially wasn’t collected.
Jones said the difference totaled about $7,200 before members of the current board addressed the issue and repayment began. He credited council members who intervened, but argued the situation still demonstrated weaknesses in the town’s internal controls.
His broader allegation Tuesday was that the examples he has identified through public records point to significantly larger financial problems. Jones used the term “misappropriation” while estimating the total at more than $1.5 million, but he did not complete a detailed public accounting of that figure during the formal portion of the meeting.
No government agency or independent auditor has made a finding supporting that $1.5 million figure based on information presented Tuesday. Jones said he intends to provide his records to the New York State Comptroller’s Office and a forensic auditing firm.
“I want somebody to challenge me, saying, ‘Brad, you’re all wet. It’s not $1.5 million. It’s probably $50,000,’” Jones told the board. “I’ll be up front with you. I’m very conservative.”
Jones’ presentation also became contentious over the meeting’s five-minute speaking limit. He had requested more time and continued speaking after initially being told his allotted period had expired. Council members ultimately allowed him additional time, and portions of the discussion continued after the board moved toward adjournment.
Jones said his motivation isn’t political office but his role as a resident and taxpayer.
“I do have a horse,” Jones said, recounting a recent conversation about why he continues examining town finances. “I have two horses in this race. One goes by the name of resident, and the other one goes by the name of taxpayer.”
The financial questions are emerging as the town begins another consequential budget process. The board voted Tuesday to override New York’s 2% property tax levy cap, a procedural step that gives officials flexibility to exceed the limit but does not itself establish a tax increase.
The issue is particularly sensitive after the town approved a substantial property tax increase for the current year, something Jones repeatedly referenced during his remarks.
He urged board members to begin discussing the budget publicly and make clear well before tax bills arrive what taxpayers should expect.
Jones described the town’s financial situation as having progressed from a “brush fire” to a larger warning sign and said filling key administrative positions and completing an independent financial review should be priorities.
Now, Jones says the issue isn’t whether individual expenditures can be explained or justified. It’s about whether Seneca Falls has enough oversight in place to ensure spending decisions are being consistently reviewed, authorized, and accounted for.
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