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Trustees approve Baker Tilly forensic accounting engagement to review recent financial errors
Summary
The Villa Park Board of Trustees approved a resolution Oct. 20 authorizing a forensic accounting engagement with Baker Tilly to review the village's financial records for the past five years. The firm was recommended after a competitive solicitation; trustees debated scope and cost but voted unanimously to proceed.
The Villa Park Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution Oct. 20 authorizing a forensic accounting and consulting engagement with Baker Tilly to review the village’s recent financial records over a five‑year period.
Why it mattered: Trustees and staff said the village has identified multiple bookkeeping and financial irregularities in recent months and that an independent forensic review is needed to establish a clear record of what occurred, recommend remedial policies, and provide a basis for any further action.
Scope, cost and selection
Manager Rivas said the village solicited proposals from four firms and received three responsive bids. Staff recommended Baker Tilly after evaluating proposals. Manager Rivas and staff recommended a five‑year review rather than a 10‑year review because changes in account structures and other variables would make a decade review less reliable and substantially more expensive. The firm’s proposal was described in the packet in a range of roughly $100,000–$125,000 for the recommended five‑year engagement.
Trustee discussion
Trustees expressed differing views on the scope and price: some urged caution about allocating $100,000-plus from village funds, while others said the cost was justified by the need for independent findings, accountability and policy recommendations. Trustee O’Fano said the forensic audit would provide “answers” and help chart a corrective path; Trustee Constatos and others said they supported the engagement to restore transparency for residents and staff.
Vote
Motion: Approve a Baker Tilly proposal to provide forensic accounting and consulting services as described in the staff report. Motion by Trustee Sabri; seconded by Trustee Constatos. Clerk roll-call vote: Trustee Alfano — Yes; Trustee Cordova — Yes; Trustee Constatos — Yes; Trustee Cozart — Yes; Trustee Kumar — Yes; Trustee Sabri — Yes. Outcome: approved (6–0).
Next steps
Staff said the engagement will proceed under the terms in Baker Tilly’s proposal. The recommended scope includes planning interviews, records review and a final report with findings and recommended policy or internal‑control changes. Management said the firm would focus on the prior five years; staff noted a 10‑year review was available but would be more costly and might introduce too many variables to yield actionable findings.
