State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s office has cited Pendleton officials for not properly monitoring capital projects undertaken in the town.
in an audit released on Friday, DiNapoli’s staff looked at work on capital projects in Pendleton between Jan. 1, 2021 and Dec. 21, 2023. The report found that for the town’s five capital projects, the scope, timelines and cost or funding sources were not established for any of them. Budgets for each project were not prepared, and there was no transparent communication or project information presented to taxpayers.
“As a result, the supervisor and board were unaware of total project costs and the board could not effectively monitor the status of the projects or communicate the projects’ status to taxpayers,” the report read.
Town Supervisor Joel Maerten is also cited for not creating accounts for the projects in separate capital projects funds.
DiNapoli provided 11 recommendations to improve the town’s handling of capital projects, which the town agreed to. They included reviewing the Office of the State Comptroller’s publication regarding capital projects, review all capital project spending increases and establish written policies and procedures that, “provide clear and specific guidance regarding capital project planning,” and monitor compliance with those policies and procedures.
In Maerten’s response to the audit, he wrote that, “The Town of Pendleton is ultimately pleased with the results of the State Comptroller’s audit. Our town was reviewed with no findings regarding any instances of fraud, wrongdoing, misappropriation of funds, or instances of misuse or waste. We consider the audit and draft report findings to be a source for opportunities to further improve the dealings and operations within the town.”
In response to Maerten, DiNapoli wrote, “Audit results cannot be used to conclude there is no fraud, theft or professional misconduct in the town’s operations.”
Town Councilman David Leible, councilman, said that the town will comply with DiNapoli’s recommendations.
“We’ve got to make some changes according to our report,” he said Tuesday.