Share: 

Dewey commissioner reveals town audit issues

September 13, 2019

Due to the audit not being released in violation of the Dewey Beach Town Charter, I am providing you a sample of the issues I became aware of, and that was provided to the auditor so you can be an informed voter.

Town management, rather than take responsibility for orchestrated delay after delay, is trying to say that my asking for a public audit committee meeting instead of a private one caused a delay, which is nonsense. Last year a citizen was arrested for trying to read the audit report; this year town management is trying to delay the report till after voting, then attempts will be made to sweep it under the rug like the other $500,000 in independent reports Dewey has faced.

I am also calling for the town to immediately hire a skilled financial employee. Mayor Redefer and Commissioner Bauer are running on the accomplishment of “saving money by replacing the finance director.” Their accomplishment has been a disaster for the town, residents, and employees and actually cost the town more money.

• In July 2018, many employees received notices of cancellation of their life insurance policies. What steps did the town fail to do and what steps have been taken to fix the situation?

• The town didn’t pay its vendor bill in August 2018, causing the suspension of parking collection accounts and an income loss.

• There doesn’t seem to be a review of payroll records each pay period. This allows errors to happen for people who depend on their paycheck.

• The town didn’t pay its own insurance bill on time in March 2019

• I sent an email to the town manager on issues that I would think no personal email should be used for the solictation of donations, yet a Dewey Beach lifeguard’s personal Comcast email keeps on coming back.

• I sent the town manager seven emails to followup on questions I have on the town employee retirement plan with no response. The town has a fiduciary duty to perform tasks such as an annual review of fund choices. Is that being done?

• The town’s email system does not allow changes to passwords without several hours on the phone. Passwords are not being changed frequently - if at all.

• The town still has a number of computers on Windows 7 which expires Jan. 14, 2020.

• It’s not clear if any update patches are ever applied.

• Cybersecurity policies or procedures are lacking, putting the town at risk.

David Moskowitz, CFA, CPA, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCPS
commissioner, Town Of Dewey Beach

 

  • A letter to the editor expresses a reader's opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.

    To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to newsroom@capegazette.com. Letters must be signed and include a telephone number and address for verification. Please keep letters to 500 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content and length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days. Letters restating information and opinions already offered by the same author will not be used. Letters must focus on issues of general, local concern, not personalities or specific businesses.

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter