Ways and Means Committee approves audit; treasurer's office explains $3,870 payment to schools and villages

The Allegany County Ways and Means Committee on March 25 approved the county's annual audit and heard an explanation from Jan, the treasurer's office budget expert, about a $3,870 line item intended to "make the schools and the villages whole" for returned taxes.

Jan said the treasurer's office pays certain returned tax amounts so school districts and villages receive their warrants, and the county later collects the funds. "The $3,870 is to make the schools and the villages whole on their return taxes," Jan said. Jenna, who the transcript identifies as a treasurer's office staff member, confirmed the timing: payments to schools and villages are due by April 1 and the county's report to the state is due April 30, after which the final numbers will be available.

Committee members asked whether the county had closed last year's books; the treasurer's office said the report to the state is due April 30 and that final figures will follow that filing. The motion to approve the audit was moved and seconded and carried with one member opposing; the committee had six members present and one absent for the meeting.

The audit approval completes this step of the county's annual financial review. The committee did not identify any follow-up tasks during the meeting; the treasurer's office will finalize year-end figures after the April 30 state submission.