Town of Hector says state audit found documentation gaps, not intentional wrongdoing

The Town of Hector Board opened its January meeting by reading a statement about a recent New York State Comptroller audit of the town’s 2022–23 payroll practices, saying the review found lapses in formal policy and documentation rather than evidence of intentional wrongdoing.

"The audit findings are primarily related to a lack of formal policy process and documentation and in no way intentional wrongdoing," the Town Supervisor read to the meeting. The statement cited an example in which the town’s sick‑bank policy — which allows employees to give accrued sick time to a colleague in need — had written departmental approvals but lacked a formal town board resolution required for the policy to be considered authorized under local practice.

The supervisor said every payroll had been certified by the town supervisor at the time and that "no employees were paid for hours that were not worked or occurred through benefit time policy or past precedent." The town added it will prepare and submit a corrective action plan to the Comptroller’s Office for review.

The board encouraged residents to read the full state audit report and to raise questions at future meetings or directly with the supervisor. No formal votes were taken on the audit statement; the reading served to clarify findings and the town’s next steps.

The town also emphasized that external independent audits in 2024 (one by a local accounting firm and one by the Comptroller’s Office) were completed as part of routine oversight and that the board supports staff during the corrective process. The board said no criminal action was found and that staff retain board support while documentation and formal resolutions are completed.