Bedford board receives clean 2024 audit, approves consent items and police communications sublicence

Auditors presented a clean audit of Bedford’s 2024 financial statements Tuesday evening, and the town board approved routine consent‑agenda items and a sublicence agreement related to police communications equipment.

Alan Cassay, an auditor with PKF O'Connor Davies, told the board the firm issued an unmodified opinion on the town’s 2024 statements — a “clean” audit — and summarized fund balances, budget variances and other results. “We have issued an unmodified opinion,” Cassay said, adding the audit uses a risk‑based approach and provides reasonable (not absolute) assurance that the statements are not materially misstated.

The audit presentation showed Bedford’s unassigned general‑fund balance at about $14,120,000 at year‑end 2024 (down roughly $520,000 from the prior year) and noted that, after transfers including about $1.5 million for an open‑space purchase, the general fund would show a modest positive net change (about $377,000 if the open‑space transfer is backed out). Larry Feldman, the engagement’s senior manager, said revenues slightly exceeded budget and total expenditures were below the final budget by roughly $2.2 million.

Auditors also delivered a management letter with control findings they described as deficiencies rather than material weaknesses. The report flagged that, in a sample of transactions, invoices frequently arrived before purchase orders were issued (24 of 25 sampled items this year), and it noted one late deposit of receipts that fell outside the state’s 72‑hour recommendation. The auditors identified two small inactive trust accounts (Buckton cemeteries and the “New York City road fund”) and that performance bond deposits had declined from about $384,000 to $258,000 as part of ongoing cleanup.

Brian, a member of the town’s finance office, said staff are revising procurement language to reduce invoice‑before‑purchase‑order instances and are actively reviewing old escrow and bond accounts. “We’re in excellent fiscal condition, very strong fund balance,” Brian said, thanking staff for their work and the auditors for the review.

On formal business, the board approved the consent agenda by voice vote. The items listed in the consent agenda included acknowledgement of the 2024 Bedford Justice Court audit; approval of abstract claims and paid priors totaling $837,158.74; award of a tree removal and pruning contract to Rosemill Brothers, Inc.; award of highway materials and services to the lowest bidders; and a change order for Kemp Group, Inc. for wastewater‑plant sludge‑press building repairs (the transcript records the change order amount unclearly; the town said costs will be reimbursed by the town’s insurer). The board’s chair called the motion and the board responded “motion carries.”

Under new business the board approved a sublicence agreement with Westchester County to place police communications equipment at a county equipment shed on Bedford Central School District property as part of a multi‑site communications network (including the Fox Lane and Guard Hill tower sites). The agreement was approved subject to attorney review.

The board also announced community events: an annual Pride flag‑raising scheduled for Saturday, June 7 at 10:00 a.m., a parade and carnival the following day, and a June 17 meeting that will include recognition of Meals on Wheels volunteers. The meeting adjourned with no further business.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (5 items, including court audit acknowledgement and contract awards): approved (motion carries; roll‑call not recorded in transcript). - Sublicence agreement with Westchester County for police communications equipment: approved (motion carries; approval subject to attorney review).