ALBANY, New York (WWNY) – The New York State Comptroller’s Office says two North Country fire districts have failed to follow recommendations it made years ago after audits identified financial issues. The state says it’s likely costing taxpayers money.
Fine Fire District
The comptroller’s office says the Fine Fire District’s board failed to implement any of the state’s recommendations following a 2023 audit.
Three years ago, the state said the board failed to monitor financial activities or maintain appropriate records and reports adequately. As a result, more taxes were levied than needed.
The comptroller’s office made 20 recommendations, including developing realistic budgets, holding public budget hearings, and auditing the secretary-treasurer’s records annually. In a 2023 letter, the fire district’s board said it was following the recommendations.
Three years later, the state says none of the recommendations were implemented.
“The commissioners did not provide reasonable explanations for why the board did not implement the recommendations. Additionally, the commissioners demonstrated an unwillingness to exercise the board’s oversight responsibilities by taking no action in the more than two years since the prior audit was issued,” the comptroller’s office said.
7 News was unable to reach the fire district’s board for comment.
Theresa Fire District
The comptroller’s office says the Theresa Fire District’s board failed to implement seven of its 13 recommendations after a 2021 audit.
In that audit, the state said the board did not provide adequate oversight to ensure that financial activities were properly recorded and reported, and did not properly manage the fund balance.
Of the audit’s 13 recommendations, the state says district officials fully implemented one recommendation, partially implemented five, and did not implement seven.
According to the comptroller’s office, it recommended that the district’s treasurer prepare and maintain accurate, complete and up-to-date accounting records. The board bought accounting software and met that recommendation.
The office also recommended the board change the way it budgets. The comptroller says the district is overestimating operating costs, collecting more taxpayer money than necessary. In fact, the state says it’s enough to fund the district for three years.
What’s more, through talks with the board, the comptroller’s office found there are no adequate long-term financial or capital plans with that money to justify residents’ tax levy.
The comptroller’s office said that “until all recommendations are implemented, the board cannot ensure district assets are fully safeguarded.”
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