Powering Up: Comptroller Surveys Dollars Behind County’s Telecommunication and Utility Services
Kingston, NY (December 26, 2019) – The Office of the Ulster County Comptroller has engaged Troy & Banks, Inc. of Buffalo, NY to audit the County’s utility and telecommunication expenses.This review follows Rockland County’s contract with the vendor and is designed to identify past billing mistakes, properness of rates, and illegal charges that may result in refunds, credits, and cost reductions.
“Energy and telecommunication utility services are high cost centers for the County – and are potentially large areas of financial risk due to their highly complex and variable fee structures,” said Comptroller Adele B. Reiter. “We researched and vetted this company and the process, and we saw an opportunity to provide an audit from a business with a proven track record in this field. We also greatly appreciate the assistance of the County Executive, Purchasing Department, and County Attorney’s Office in preparing for this important review. It’s imperative the County be assured that utility payments are sound and free of error, which is why we secured industry experts to conduct this analysis. It’s simply a win-win: either the County recoups monies that are rightly owed to us or it receives the confidence that our bills are correct and in order. Both possible outcomes are positive for our check book and taxpayers.”
The firm is paid on a contingency basis through a percentage of dollars that are returned back to the County should any prior overcharges be found. If there are no dollars recovered then there will be no charge for the service. Troy & Banks, Inc. enjoys a solid reputation for this type of consulting and auditing work in New York and beyond, having performed similar reviews and recovered substantial reimbursements for numerous municipalities, other governmental entities,and Fortune 500 companies.
