The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors is its own worst enemy, according to a sharply critical audit on the massive streambank project from the state Comptroller's audit.
The audit scolds the county board for lack of management of the $24 million project, but supervisors fired back that while they'll make corrections, some criticisms are unfair.
The streambank project itself was to make improvements to Line Creek, Dave Brown Mountain, Platter Kill and Little Schoharie after damage from Hurricane Irene.
Requested by supervisors because of cost overruns, the audit covers from May 1, 2012 to February 2015. Basically, it addresses two questions:
--Did supervisors ensure that the co-managers--Department of Public Works Commissioner Dan Crandall and then-Planning Director Alicia Terry--properly monitor the project?
--Did supervisors ensure that county contracts were properly approved, monitored and paid?
On the first question, the audit charges that supervisors didn't adequately communicate with the co-managers, resulting in a lack of oversight.
That in turn led to cost overruns that some supervisors were unaware of. But they should have been aware, the audit claimed.
"In short, the numerous discrepancies the Board complained about generally resulted from a lack of proper oversight by the Board," the audit reads.
Written by board Chairman Dick Lape, the supervisors' response argued that Mr. Crandall is a civil engineer, and Ms. Terry, an experienced planner.
"Both Co-Managers were chosen based on their years of experience. . ." Mr. Lape wrote.
Also, Mr. Lape added, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which is providing most of the funding, was "to serve as an additional set of eyes to see projects were completed. . ."
On the second question, auditors reviewed 40 contracts for the streambank project. They found that six weren't approved by supervisors and the county attorney, five were approved by supervisors but not the attorney, and on 18, no actions were made to make sure the contracts were at the lowest possible cost.
"These errors occurred because the Board has not established adequate procedures to ensure all County contracts are properly approved and monitored," the audit reads.
Mr. Lape agreed that a stronger review of contracts is necessary and "this can be tightened up by the County Attorney. . .spending more time in going over contracts with the Board."
While agreeing generally with the audit, Mr. Lape also pointed out that supervisors are only part-time, "and the County is dealing with hundreds of contracts annually."
Finally, Mr. Lape noted Fulton Supervisor Phil Skowfoe identified departments failing "to follow proper policies and procedures" with contracts and started a new system for review.
On another issue, the audit criticizes the county board for hiring a second engineering firm to monitor the main engineers, AE Com.
Mr. Lape responded:
"We believe the Comptroller's Office should be crediting us for wanting this extra layer of professional oversight which we put into place for the express purpose of saving taxpayer dollars, rather than now criticizing us for engaging a second engineering firm."
The Comptroller's Office requires the county to submit a corrective action plan within 90 days. The county will do so, Mr. Lape wrote.