Residents renew calls for forensic audit; county confirms RFP posted

Calls for an independent forensic audit of Gloucester County finances surfaced repeatedly during the town‑hall public‑comment period, with several residents saying irregularities, staffing changes and recent tax and rate increases warrant an outside review.

Multiple speakers asked the board to commission a forensic audit that would review budgets, year‑to‑date spending, departmental budget variances, and management decisions that led to current financial pressures. They asked auditors to examine what funds were appropriated, mid‑year transfers, and whether any budgets were "burned down" at fiscal year end.

Mr. Baines told the meeting the county had posted an RFP for the forensic audit: "The RFP went out today," he said, confirming that the procurement document was available. Several residents asked that the audit include a review of budgets across departments, budget adjustments during the fiscal year, and the proposed use of revenues such as those from school‑zone cameras.

Board members and staff said routine quarterly and monthly budget reports are already provided to supervisors and that some entities—like social services—track monthly accounting, but that a forensic audit is intended to provide a deeper, independent review. Supervisors said they expected to receive bids and would evaluate proposals according to the RFP process before deciding on next steps.