Supervisors agreed Friday to let the January 31 deadline they gave the County Treasurer’s Office to explain the $1.5 million “over-paid” for health insurance play out.
Even as County Treasurer Mary Ann Wollaber-Bryan told them it wasn’t over-paid—and “no money ever left the purview of the county.”
“The taxpayers’ money is right where it should be,” Ms. Wollaber-Bryan said.
The Finance Committee’s questions over what appears to have been—on paper—double payments for health insurance need to be taken seriously, said Gilboa Supervisor Alicia Terry, who argued supervisors should hire an independent forensic auditor to sort it out.
“There is so much finger-pointing…but at the end of the day, it is this body’s responsibility,” she said.
“Somebody has to get to the bottom of this.”
Ms. Terry made a motion that they do that; Seward Supervisor Earlin Rosa seconded it.
But after discussion—and after hearing from Ms. Wollaber-Bryan—they were the only two to vote in favor it of.
Instead, supervisors agreed to stick with the January 31st deadline for “a written detail[ed] explanation of the status of the Health Insurance accounts and reconciliation.”
Supervisors chair Bill Federice said he doesn’t have a problem with a second set of eyes on the apparent discrepancy—he doesn’t believe the Treasurer’s Office does either, he said.
“The only problem I have is that we charged them with a date. I’d suggest we want until that information is presented.”
Ms. Terry argued against waiting; they’ve know of Finance Committee chair Alex Luniewski’s concerns since December 1.
Waiting until after the 31st before taking action—essentially two months—is just “kicking that can down the road,” she said.
Other supervisors said the county’s regular auditor, The Bonadio Group, could handle any audit.
“They should be able to explain this without us having to spend more money,” said Fulton Supervisor Phil Skowfoe.
“Why would we hire someone else?”
They’re more than willing to come out now, Ms. Wollaber-Bryan said, but they usually don’t audit her office until April and everyone, including her office and Bonadio, is swamped right now getting out things like W-2s.
“I look forward to addressing this issue,” Ms. Wollaber-Bryan said.
“The Treasurer’s Office has never had an issue prior to this. The new system is a major reason” we’re in this position.
Training—sometimes four days a week--is time-consuming and done in “modules,” she said, leaving her already understaffed office little time for their daily duties.
The Tyler Munis Financial System was automatically calculating and deducting employees’ health insurance contributions, Ms. Wollaber-Bryan explained.
Because they didn’t know that, her office was also making the deductions.
“As soon as I found out, I called the Finance chair,” she said. “It was a concern to me and my staff.”
Ms. Wollaber-Bryan said they’ve been able to account for $2.5 million because of the double-transfers, but again, “None of it has left the county.
“No money is missing. Nothing was over-paid.”
There’s also the issue of not budgeting accurately for health insurance, she said—no one’s fault because the rates don’t come in until after the budget’s done. (see related story.)
As for allegations there are 8,500 checks they’ve yet to reconcile, Ms. Wollaber-Bryan said no.
“They have been reconciled. Believe me, Bonadio wouldn’t let us do that,” she said.
“If we don’t get answers, we can go forward,” with an audit, said Cobleskill Supervisor Werner Hampel after the 14-2 vote against Ms. Terry’s resolution.
“The people of Schoharie County are watching us,” Mr. Federice said. “They are concerned.
“This sends red flags all over the place. It’s a lot harder to get that confidence back. Let’s see the numbers first.”