Sudbury Select Board authorizes independent audit of Camp Suotaro operator and funds it from ARPA

Select Board members on Nov. 19 moved to commission an independent financial audit of the Camp Suotaro operator after town staff reported the operator had not delivered its annual financial statements by the Nov. 15 contractual deadline.

The board previously voted earlier this year to pursue an audit (with the condition that the audit cost be presented to the Select Board). Town staff presented a proposal from CliftonLarsonAllen for roughly $25,000 to conduct the audit. Members discussed contractual remedies if the operator failed to meet reporting obligations but emphasized partnership and the operator’s role as the town’s revenue‑share partner.

The board reaffirmed the audit authorization by roll‑call vote and asked the town manager to notify the operator that required financial statements are overdue. The manager said he had been in contact with the operator and that the operator was waiting on its CPA firm to deliver the statements; the board asked staff to continue follow‑up and to use contract remedies if necessary.

Funding: staff proposed covering the audit cost from ARPA unallocated/reallocated funds; the board’s ARPA votes later in the meeting provided a funding path consistent with that plan.

Why it matters: the audit will give the town an independent review of the operator’s financial compliance with the management agreement and will inform the board’s approach to the contract renewal cycle (the current contract runs for several more years). Board members said the audit should help resolve recurring friction and provide transparency for residents.

Next steps: execute the auditor contract, receive the operator’s financial statements when available, and return audit results to the Select Board.