State Auditor Releases Reaudit Report on City of Strawberry Point

State Auditor Rob Sand released a reaudit report on the City of Strawberry Point on Tuesday.

The reaudit was requested due to concerns regarding the sale of a City-owned fire truck and controls over billing practices conducted by the Strawberry Point Fire Department. Concerns were also raised regarding the City’s conflict of interest policy. 

Sand reported the reaudit identified the City-owned fire truck was sold by the Firemen’s Association on June 17th, 2021 and the proceeds of the sale were deposited in the Strawberry Point Firemen’s Association bank accounts. The Firemen’s association reimbursed the City the full amount of the proceeds from the sale in March 2024. 

Sand also reported the reaudit identified $2,650 of uncollected Fire Department billings. These billings were properly billed by the City of Strawberry Point, but the individuals billed have not paid the City for their services. 

The State Auditor’s report includes recommendations to strengthen the City of Strawberry Point’s internal controls, such as developing policies and procedures for the sale and/or disposal of City assets, ensuring the Strawberry Point Fire Department billings are periodically reviewed and approved by someone independent, developing a written policy and procedures for the decision of which calls are to be billed and which are not, and adopting a formal Conflict-of-Interest policy. 

A copy of the reaudit report is available for review on the Auditor of State’s website.

press release courtesy of State Auditor’s Office; photo contributed