Council presses for audit and transparency after SRPD bookkeeping problems uncovered

Council members and staff described substantial bookkeeping errors affecting the Southern Regional Police Department (SRPD) that arose under a prior contractor's handling of police financials. The new accounting firm engaged by the SRPD reported numerous bookkeeping issues (missing or erroneous monthly reports, double payments and payroll/pension irregularities) that have delayed the delivery of year-to-date financials.

The solicitor and council discussed next steps including asking the SRPD auditor to identify systemic weaknesses and reviewing oversight responsibilities for the bookkeeping role. Council heard that some errors appear to be the product of incompetence rather than deliberate misconduct, but that the situation will be clearer after the new accountant completes cleanup and the auditor reviews the records. A forensic audit was discussed as a potential second step if cleanup reveals evidence suggesting fraud or other wrongdoing.

The SRPD police commission has already moved to improve transparency. The commission passed motions to require a line-item budget review before the commission approves the SRPD budget, to provide municipal partners an executive summary and line-item budget in advance of their approval votes, and to hold the SRPD October budget meeting as an open session for municipal representatives and the public.

Council members pressed for clearer monthly reporting and for the borough to require timely financials from SRPD before future votes. The solicitor recommended a two-step approach: first use the auditor to identify systemic issues and improve oversight controls; only if that review suggests misappropriation would the borough consider the higher-cost path of a forensic audit.

Next steps: the borough's CPA and SRPD staff will continue cleanup work and provide progress updates; the auditor's report will be used to determine whether a forensic audit is warranted.