Each January local officials, the Town Supervisor and council, direct all town department heads to submit their books and records for audit. All elected and appointed officials must comply. This process is in place to ensure the public remains protected from misuse and waste.
The process is both procedural and technical. All accounts and records are required to balance and be reconciled on a monthly basis throughout the year. All mandated procedures, must be scrutinized and discussed, to insure they conform to Town Policy. We verify that department procedures fit within the scope of the town board oversight, with the intent to protect the taxpayer.
Cash is the first item in our mind and is the most obvious risk to public security. Conversion of assets is another hidden proposition. Any asset that can readily be converted to personal use fits this category. An excellent example is fuel used in the highway department. Inventories are required and verified. Efficiency of operation is another item on our checklist. Proper equipment and technology affects the operational costs and is subject to discussion for effectiveness. In addition, we constantly monitor town funds monthly, equipment and operations. Then we institute corrective actions, as necessary to minimize risk
Local government actually exists to provide the necessary services to its constituents. A town board provides policy, guidance and oversight to ensure that these services remain constantly maintained, monitored, and deliverable. We on your town board must constantly review fiscal objectives and monitor the town budget, to confirm the main objective, of delivering town services to you at the least cost. We constantly must look for better ways of operating to insure there is minimal waste. The one tool that the public should understand as critically important is the annual audit process.
John Messere, West Monroe Town Supervisor
The process is both procedural and technical. All accounts and records are required to balance and be reconciled on a monthly basis throughout the year. All mandated procedures, must be scrutinized and discussed, to insure they conform to Town Policy. We verify that department procedures fit within the scope of the town board oversight, with the intent to protect the taxpayer.
Cash is the first item in our mind and is the most obvious risk to public security. Conversion of assets is another hidden proposition. Any asset that can readily be converted to personal use fits this category. An excellent example is fuel used in the highway department. Inventories are required and verified. Efficiency of operation is another item on our checklist. Proper equipment and technology affects the operational costs and is subject to discussion for effectiveness. In addition, we constantly monitor town funds monthly, equipment and operations. Then we institute corrective actions, as necessary to minimize risk
Local government actually exists to provide the necessary services to its constituents. A town board provides policy, guidance and oversight to ensure that these services remain constantly maintained, monitored, and deliverable. We on your town board must constantly review fiscal objectives and monitor the town budget, to confirm the main objective, of delivering town services to you at the least cost. We constantly must look for better ways of operating to insure there is minimal waste. The one tool that the public should understand as critically important is the annual audit process.
John Messere, West Monroe Town Supervisor
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