The combination of the recession and the impact of the destruction of the World Trade Center is clearly reflected in the City's financial condition. Over the past 15 months the City has implemented a $4.6 billion in FY 2004 gap-closing actions, including an 18.5 percent property tax increase while borrowing $2 billion to meet operating expenses. However, there was still a FY 2004 deficit of at least $3.8 billion. The Mayor proposed a series of actiosn to close the gap, which include $1.4 billion in new taxes, more than $1.1 billion in State aid above current projections, and $620 million in agency gap-closing initiatives. The State Legislature has approved a state budget and associated initiatives. If enacted into law, it will assist the City in balancing its own budget. The ongoing dispute between the Governor and the State Legislature over the State budget, along with the risks in the Executive Budget could result in another round of cutbacks and layoffs.
The Housing Preservation and Development Information System has become a multi-module system with a central repository of information on private and City-owned residential properties and registered property owners. The system design allowed for future enhancements and upgrades. It also met overall goals as stated in the original system justification. However, it did not follow a formal system methodology.A user satisfaction survey revealed that 57 percent of respondents would like to see changes made to HPDInfo.Lastly, the Department does not have procedures in place to ensure that security violations are recorded, documented, and reviewed.
This follow-up audit report is to determine whether the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation(HHC) implemented the recommendations made in an earlier audit. The previous audit made 22 recommendations to HHC. Of the 22, only 11 were implemented, three were partially implemented, one was not implemented, and seven were no longer applicable. This audit found that HHC has improved its billing and collection procedures. HHC still needs to improve its posting of initial payments into its computer system and the timliness of its initial billings to HMOs. Several recommendations are listed to address the problems noted in this report.
The FDNY has adequate controls over the billing and collection of inspection fees and whether it charges the correct fees. The FDNY billed $35.6 million in BFP inspection fees and collected $34.6 million.The FDNY has not changed its fee schedule in more than a decade. FDNY has a number of internal control weaknesses that can affect billing and collection practices.
From an audit done on the NYCServ Project, aimed at consolidating the Department of Finance's customer services, the project complied with requirement and laws and is available for innovation. However, the implementation of the product has been delayed, as certain applications and concerns have not been implemented or addressed.
From an audit conducted on the Financial Management System at the Financial Information Services Agency, it was found that the agency has adequate controls to protect its records from unauthorized access. However, the agency should provide substantial training to its security officers and establish a log to record requests from agencies who require special access rights.
From an audit conducted on the Administration for Children's Services, it was found that the administration's oversight of day care centers is ineffective and lacks an efficient approach to overseeing the fiscal requirements of the day cares.
From an audit conducted on the New York County Public Administrator's Office, it was concluded that the office complied with most of the provisions of Article 11 of the New York State Surrogate's Court Procedures Act, the Report and Guidelines of the Administrative Board for the Offices of the Public Administrators, and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations. However, the office needs to adequately manage assets, follow certain provisions thoroughly, use the suspense account strictly for work purposes, and correct timekeeping errors.
From an audit conducted on the New York City Public/Private Initiatives, Inc., the corporation adequately recorded and made payments given to beneficiaries. However, there is missing documentation, and the corporation can improve its recordkeeping to ensure that all beneficiaries receive the proper amount of money alloted to them.
An audit report was completed on June 26, 2003 on the shortcomings and discrepancies in the Department of Parks and Recreation. The Department failed to maintain adequate control of its issuing and processing of permits, as well as the collection of fees that it is entitled to for the use of public spaces for athletic and special events. The report gives 25 recommendations as to how the Department can adjust these issues. (MG02-117A)
The Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT) manages the
Department of Finance's system software and hardware. The audit determines that the Department has adequate controls
to protect both its mainframe and network environments. Security matters should be addressed such as the mainframe
environment containing the Department's information protection policies and procedures are not consolidated in one
document. In addition, there is no agency virus response plan.
From an audit conducted on the Off-Track Betting Corporation, it was found that the corporation has adequate controls to ensure that employee reimbursements and charges for General Expenses were reasonable. However, the corporation needs to properly document its expenses and reimbursements.
From an audit conducted on the New York Yankees's maintenance of Yankee Stadium, it was found that the team overstated rental credits needed for maintenance. The team must ensure that all maintenance credits are properly documented and approved before submitting them to the Comptroller's Office.
From an audit conducted on the Department of Sanitation, it was determined that the department has adequate controls over the billing, collecting, depositing, and disbursing of funds located in the Special Events Clean-Up account. However, the department neglected the existence of other accounts and did not follow the fiduciary account agreement.
From an audit conducted on the American Museum of Natural History, it was determined that the museum complied with the requirements, procedures, and bylaws set forth by the Department of Cultural Affairs and has adequate control over its financial and operational processes. However, the museum must address timekeeping errors.
From an audit conducted on the Staten Island Yankees, it was found that the team has internal control weaknesses. From this, it could not be determined whether the team made appropriate payments to the New York City Economic Development Corporation. The team also lacks punctuality when making payments and must work to pay off outstanding fees and overall, improve its internal controls.
In June 2001, Brooklyn Baseball Company, L.L.C, and the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation
entered into a 20-year lease agreement. This grants the Cyclones the exclusive rights to use KeySpan Park on Surf Avenue
in Brooklyn. This audit determined whether the Cyclones complied with their lease agreement with the City; paid
the appropriate fees to the City and whether they paid them on time. The Cyclones paid the City $1,131,196 in rental
fees and Parks paid the Cyclones $200,000
related to net parking lot income. Audit findings include the significant weakness in the Cyclones internal controls
that prevented the determination of whether actual attendance, no-shows, and recreated area attendees were reported
accurately, and whether all appropriate fees due the City were paid. The Cyclones did not report $98,600 recorded on
their books as rent revenue, therefore owe the City $49,300 in additional fees. The audit recommends to base actual
attendance on their turnstile counts, as required by the lease, along with other recommendations.
From this audit, it was found that the Seamen's Society for Children and Families complied with the provisions of day care home contracts set forth by the Administration for Children's Services. The society also successfully funded the day cares, but can work on problems, such as adequately overseeing its caretakers and registering students properly.
An audit report was filed on June 30, 2003 on the investigation of the New York City Fire Department in order to identify any pension fund retirees who may be illegally re-employed and to quantify the amounts of any impromper payments to these individuals. It was determined that there were five individuals who received $67,779 in pension payments during 2000 who were working past their applicable employment anniversary dates. It was recommended that these five individuals be investigated and if appropriate, aciton be taken against their crimes. (FL03-128A)
An audit report was filed on June 30, 2003 on the financial and operating practices of the Sergeants Benevolent Association Health and Welfare Fund for the fiscal year 2001. It was determined that the organization generally complied with the procedures and requirements set down by Directive 12, and its administrative expenses were reasonable. Some weaknesses were noted regarding lack of documentation and eligibility of members' dependents, and it was recommended they be rectified. (FL03-086A)
An audit report was filed on June 30, 2003 on the Financial and Operating Practices of the Local 444 S.E.I.U. Sanitation Officers' Association Security Benefits Fund. It was determined that the organization generally complied with the procedures and requirements set down by Directive 12, and its administrative expenses were reasonable. Some weaknesses were noted regarding lack of documentation and reporting, and it was recommended they be rectified. (FL03-151A)
The analysis was to provide comparative data on the overall
financial activities of the 85 union-administered active and retiree welfare, education, and annuity funds which
received City contributions during Fiscal Year 2001. Several funds expended lower-than-average amounts for benefits
and maintained high reserves. Several financial issues should be addressed such as operating deficits due to certain
funds exceeding their revenues. Some funds had large operating surpluses resulting in high reserves, which indicate that
they should increase members' benefits. Other issues include improper eligibility delay, consolidation of professional
services, and field audits of funds.
An audit report was filed on June 30, 2003 on the compliance of Sterling Mets, L.P., (New York Mets) with their lease agreement and fees they owed the city, specifically those incurred in the time period January 1 tp December 31, 2001. It was determined that Sterling Mets owed the city a total of $4,560,631 which accounts for understating revenue, overstating allowable deductions and credits, and previous audits for which Sterling Mets did not pay their dues. It was recommended that Sterling Mets pay their dues in full to the City. (FN03-115A)