Village Candidate Q&A: How Will You Watch Over Taxpayer's Dollars?

On Friday, residents in Westhampton Beach will be asked to elect two candidates to the Westhampton Beach Village Board. Vying for those seats are Deputy Mayor Hank Tucker, Trustee Patricia DiBenedetto and former Deptuy Mayor Toni-Jo Birk. 

Patch recently asked all three candidates five questions and over the next week and a half, Patch will provide their responses in a series we are calling, Village Candidate Q&A. 

Question 3: Given the recent issues brought to light over the village's finances, how will you work to oversee taxpayer's dollars?

Hank Tucker: "Since I was instrumental in bringing the issues too light, I will continue to protect our taxpayers money with review, oversight and questioning. I have helped implement a system of checks and balances to fix some of the problems. We passed resolutions to make sure that discretionary spending needs a majority of the board vote and we have implemented a new Payroll strategy. This should help to mitigate many of the problems."

Patricia DiBenedetto: "The recent issues regarding the villages finances specifically dealt with $250,000 in budget transfers from 2011-2012 fiscal year that the current board was asked to approve.  The majority of the board held the transfers over until every expense had accountability. When not presented with substantiated information, we requested a special audit.  Once the 300 page document was delivered in March, the auditors determined that there were indeed payments made without authorization nor approval; over $70,000 in spending that occurred without the current board's knowledge nor consent.  We have implemented measures to recoup the majority of the expenses, and in order to regulate future spending, and to oversee taxpayer's dollars, the board passed a resolution this past May, further implementing measures of checks and balances.  It is important for our taxpayers to know that "just because there is a budget, doesn't mean the money gets to be spent." 

Toni-Jo Birk: "With regard to Village finances, please allow me to clarify your question. The Village finances are in good standing, the '11-'12 fiscal year ended with a 60% fund balance increase from the prior year. The Village was able to comply with the 2% property tax cap while delivering a level of services that residents have come to expect and deserve. If elected, I will continue on this path and make fiscally prudent decisions.  With regard to recent inquiries on some procedures and policies, I feel that it is always a good practice to examine policies and procedures to see they are being administered properly. Recent discussions have focused on procedures that are not unusual for any government to calculate an error and I understand steps were taken to address any issues. During my tenure as former Deputy Mayor and Trustee, I reviewed vouchers and payments in a timely manner and questioned items that I needed additional information on. I would continue to do that with my Board colleagues when elected."

Related Reading: 

• Village Candidate Q&A: Do You Support a Rezoning For a New Supermarket?
• Village Candidate Q&A: Where Do You See the Village in Ten Years?
• Village Candidate Q&A: What One Improvement to the Village Would You Make