Town Board of Afton Criticized in Financial Audit

A recent audit from the state comptroller’s office has found the town board of Afton has done a poor job of managing the town budget.

The audit reports that the town board adopted budgets that did not accurately estimate the town’s operational needs. Auditors found that large capital purchases and improvements during the last five completed fiscal years were not budgeted for and the associated means of financing were not considered, including the purchase of $262,000 of equipment and $503,333 spent on capital improvements to town facilities.

The audit also details how $590,000 was spent in the current fiscal year on the highway garage that the board also did not budget for. Poor budgeting practices led to operating deficits in certain years for the various funds.

Town officials said the audit was a learning experience which will help provide better services to the town.