I learned a few moments ago that the Town Auditor will be here on Tuesday to examine this account. He will report his findings to Ray Jankowski, CFO and Town Treasurer.
I believe that it is in the best interests of the Town and everyone implicated in this issue to come forward, admit the wrongdoing and let us move on with the tough task of passing a Budget.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Town Auditor Coming Tuesday to Examine Account
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13 comments:
This BOE fiasco is a perfect example of why taxpayers in growing numbers distrust government. Add a little deflationary recession, skidding markets, a dollar in free fall and you just might get a few angry villagers with torches and pitchforks.
What did doubling the size of the Department of Education at the federal level and constant 5% or better BOE budget increases at the local level get us?... it sure as hell didn't improve BOE accounting practices.
I don't think this is just a BOE problem. I think it is a townwide systemic issue of simply not understanding the numbers. However, I have a solution - an inexpensive solution - one which will offer New Milford's students real life experience! How about we let the business classes at NMHS run the accounting system for the BOE. They'll get to know the real deal of the accounting world first hand and maybe we'll have access to the real numbers!
This is a response to a commenter who asked why Ray Jankowski only has records that go back 2 years.
For the prior two years the Town had fixed costs i.e. premiums versus self-insured. In the latter, there was an "audited" number i.e. garbage in, garbage out. The BOE gives the auditor the numbers for the claims paid, explains how they were derived and that's what it uses.
I wouldn't like my company's accounting department to only have two years worth of records. Why is it "OK" for the town to be so lousy?
That's no excuse for not having records, Jay. Mr. Jankowski should have extensive records for the town's expenditures, but he doesn't seem to have them even though he's been in his job for 18 years.
And don't forget, the BOE puts it's money into the Internal Service Fund, and then Mr. Jankowski and the Town administers it for the Medical claims. Mr. Jankowski should have records for everything.
Lets put all finance and accounting functions under one department so it can be properly managed, held accountable and the shell games can be stopped for good. Overhead can be reduced as well. Nobody has given one reasonable objection to doing this.
Additionally we should combine the facilities maintenance departments and gain the savings of reduced overhead (equipment and employees) and better(although not much better) management.
Anyone who objects to these proposals, please explain.
I thought I made the reason clear in my last post. THE DATA WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO HIM and he could not have a handle on the $ until. All he had to work with was the amount in the BOE Budget and that amount was sent to him. That's the whole point. The BOE managed its end. Ray didn't ever see the co-pays.
I just re-read your comment and maybe I didn't make this clear: The so-called "Town-side" Finance Department is totally separate and apart from the BOE Finance Department. They are physically in separate buildings, the former in Town Hall, the latter at East Street. That's what this is all about...it's time to combine them not only to ensure that this hanky-panky never happens again but for cost efficiency as well.
I'm sure that one of the reasons the Auditor is coming in is to make sure that our Moody's rating isn't affected. That is to say, the Town found a problem, addressed it right away and took measures to make the necessary changes.
Please comment further if you have more questions.
BTW, why don't you ask the BOE for the records...they are never sent to Ray. Good luck with that! I'll see you at the FOIC!
December 11 2007 school board minutes say "$1,200,000 has been encumbered in an attempt to minimize year end surprises."
What does that mean? encumbered as what? for surprises?
What kind of accounting is that?
Maybe another account the auditor should look for - the minimize surprises account?.
Where are all of the BOE defenders and why do they not answer the March 8 9:26 question? What are the objections to these proposals?
Additionally Nanci:
In your next arcticle you should try to be more truthful in your reporting. We all know that you have children in the sysytem, and in your heart of hearts, you are after all about them, but you owe the public a fair representation of events.
We are all watching and not all of us have sympaphy.
In the end you have a job to do and being truthful is in the best interest, period.
Here is what is going to happen since Jay's reporting tends to be somewhat skewed and IMHO usually on the outright false side. (go ahead sue me)
1)GAAP legality will be be intact
2)You'll continue to make a stink over a non-story
3)The budget will be passed (though reduced somewhat)
Thats my predictions
enjoy bitching to yourselves
I dare you to post your name so that Jay can sue you.
ps: you're a good speller! Must be at least a 6th grade graduate of the NM school system
Nah, he's an invader from Westchester.
You mean THE Westchester! The place where taxes are three fold ours and the education system is so, so, much better than ours? NOT!
Spend five times what you are paying now if you want and you will still come away with a "status quo public school education". Quality is dictated more by demographics than money spent per student. You may not like it but it is the TRUTH!
All you will get for your money is much better paid help, alot more of them and plenty more six figure administrators taking all of their time off with big fat retirements and family coverage for pennies.
Oh, and the other thing you will get is no chance that your children will ever be able to afford to live here. Remember that these proposed 7% budget increase doubles the existing budget in ten years. I guess it is good for the public employees and the economies in other parts of the country where our children will move to if they want to own property. Thats cool, I guess.
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