State audit finds Village of Monticello overpaid employees more than $140,000

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MONTICELLO – A state comptroller’s office audit of the cash strapped Village of Monticello’s payroll found that during a two-year period analyzed, employees were paid erroneous compensation totaling $141,800.

The study found that village officials did not ensure that employees were paid appropriately. As a result, for the period reviewed, from July 16, 2018 to July 31, 2020 they were overpaid.

The audit found that due to unclear village board resolutions, undocumented verbal agreements and a lack of board oversight, training and controls, the village’s deputy clerk was overpaid by approximately $80,000 over a two-year period.

It found nine police officers were overpaid by $49,000. Two officers accounted for $39,000 of the total overpayments.

The audit also said the payroll clerk accrued and used unauthorized leave and paid herself for more time that she was entitled, resulting in overpayments of about $12,800.

Recommendations from the state included that the board take immediate action to strengthen the village’s policies and procedures for payroll processing, and review the overpayments identified in the report and seek reimbursement, if necessary.

Village officials agreed with the state’s recommendations and have initiated or indicated they plan to initiate corrective action.




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