ALBANY – An audit by the State Comptroller’s Office said Dutchess BOCES officials did not monitor electricity rates to ensure they were at the lowest possible cost nor did they ensure that invoices for electricity usage were accurate.
Had officials monitored those rates and ensured the utility bills were accurate, they may have reduced BOCES electricity supply expenses by almost 50 percent, or some $172,000, during the 28-month audit period, state inspectors said.
The report found that continued use of an energy service company after the contract expired resulted in BOCES paying a higher per kilowatt-hour rate than if it had contracts with the supplier awarded a new bid through a competitive process or the local utility company, which could have saved BOCES approximately $85,000 during July 2021 through October 2022.
Auditors also found BOCES did not detect billing discrepancies in the invoices for electricity supplies and paid duplicate charges totaling $86,958.
Key recommendations of the audit said BOCES should monitor supply contracts and seek periodic competition to ensure rates are at the lowest possible cost, and should conduct a deliberate and thorough audit of electricity supply and deliver invoices prior to payment.
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