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Resident urges investigation into vacant properties, financial reporting and delayed audits; motion fails
Summary
A Laurel resident presented FOIA-based findings alleging dozens of vacant properties were not enforced under the town’s 2017 vacant-house ordinance and said audits are two years overdue; a council motion to investigate those concerns failed 2-4.
Sharon Ardisana, who identified herself as presenting on transparency and accountability, told the Town of Laurel Mayor & Council on May 18 that FOIA requests show a vacant-house list of 51 properties while the official registry listed only 18. "The public deserves the facts to allow them to conclude their own conclusions," she said, urging enforcement of the town’s vacant-house ordinance and improved financial reporting.
Ardisana said the vacant-house list could have generated revenue through fines: she estimated 30 properties could yield $270,000 and 50 properties $458,000 in potential revenue. She also told the council the town is two years behind on its audit and, according to the town charter, audits should be completed within 90 days after the fiscal year.
Town Manager Jamie Smith told the council the town changed auditors after Sombar ceased performing audits in September 2022, selected Lank, Johnson & Tull (work began summer 2023) and that the unexpected death of the town’s finance manager in October 2023 delayed the audit process. Smith said auditors are completing FY24 work and plan to roll FY24 into FY25 and FY26.
Councilman George Lodato moved that Mayor & Council investigate Ardisana’s concerns about enforcement of the vacant-house ordinance and cost reporting and report back to the council and residents. The motion failed 2-4, with one vacancy.
The meeting record shows competing numerical claims: Ardisana cited a 51-property vacancy list and suggested potential revenue figures; the town’s subsequent finance discussion and manager’s comments indicated audit delays tied to staffing and auditor transitions. The council did not adopt a formal enforcement action at the meeting and declined to order the requested investigation.
