The Village of Cato did not effectively manage the financial operations of its water fund; that’s according to an audit released by the New York State Comptroller’s Office.
The audit, conducted between June 1, 2021, and July 24, 2023, found the village made $42,696 in unauthorized billing adjustments. Of the 464 water bills viewed during the audit, the comptroller’s office found 71 contained errors totaling $7,903, including $1,296 in overbilling.
The audit also claims 27% of water produced, equating to 9.4 million gallons, is considered by the department to be “unauthorized non-revenue water or lost water.”
Because of this, the comptroller’s office made a series of recommendations to the village board. These include the establishment of written policies and procedures providing guidance for billing, collecting, and enforcing charges; ensuring adjustments to water customer accounts are reviewed and approved, reviewing water rates, ensuring penalties are assessed properly, and checking to identify any variances in the amount of water produced and water billed.
The office said the board generally agreed with the report and recommendations, and has initiated or plans to initiate the changes.
From March – June 2023, the village hired a part-time clerk to assist the village clerk-treasurer with water billing. The clerk-treasurer retired in June of that year.
The complete report can be viewed on the comptroller’s website.