Town of Madison, ME Revenues, Collection of

Internal controls are techniques used by management to achieve its objectives and to meet its responsibilities. It is the objective of the Board of Selectmen to safeguard Town funds and have administrative procedures in place that will enable them to meet this objective and thereby fulfill their responsibility.

§ 690-2 Applicability to excise tax; printed receipts.

In most Maine municipalities, motor vehicle excise tax poses the greatest risk for fraud. The high risk comes from the potential loss, to the Town of Madison, of over $600,000 in excise taxes per year. The potential loss is due in part to the fact that many people pay their excise tax in cash. The second risk comes from not issuing a receipt for the transaction. Many towns have used the registration form as the receipt. The state registration forms are sequentially numbered, and all forms are accounted for. In Madison, however, the policy is that any time money is received a receipt is issued. Having a printed receipt is a method of insuring that money goes in the right place.

§ 690-3 General practices.

In order to have general oversight over revenues collected, the Town of Madison will:

Issue a receipt for all money received.

Separate the duties of the bookkeeper from collecting money.

Reconcile cash receipts daily.

Deposit funds in a timely manner (daily).

Reconcile to general ledger daily.

Reconcile bank statements monthly.

Maintain cash drawers individually.

Randomly audit cash drawers on a monthly basis.

Make an effort to ensure that there is always more than one person on duty.

Overpayments shall not be accepted when the intention is to provide a cash refund back to the customer.

Upon any suspicion of fraud, appropriate personnel will be notified.

Checks returned for nonsufficient funds are taken to the bank that issued the check and a bank check is received. If the transaction is on real-estate, payment is reversed until full payment is received, if it is motor vehicle, registration is suspended.

Management reviews all bank statements and reconciliation of bank accounts.

§ 690-4 Financial accountability; protection against fraud or misuse.

Financial accountability is a top priority for the Town of Madison. This policy formalizes the expectations of personal honesty and integrity required of Town officials and employees. The Town of Madison is committed to protecting its revenue, property, information and other assets from any attempt, either by members of the public, contractors, subcontractors, agents, intermediaries or its own employees, to gain by deceit, financial or other benefits. This policy prohibits fraud or misuse of the Town of Madison's assets and sets forth specific guidelines and responsibilities regarding appropriate actions that must be followed for the investigation of fraud and other similar irregularities.

§ 690-5 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the terms listed below shall have the following definitions:

ASSETS

Refers to the entire property of the Town, association, corporation, or estate applicable or subject to the payment of debts. "Assets" include, but are not limited to, all Town vehicles and building properties, computers and software and cash receivables.

EMBEZZLEMENT

Any loss resulting from the misappropriation of Town of Madison assets.

EMPLOYEE(S)

Refers to all Town of Madison employees, independent contractors, consultants, and temporary workers.

EQUIPMENT

A fixed asset that is not consumable or expandable; it is movable, even though sometimes attached to other objects or buildings; and its removal does not create a readily observable physical impairment or deterioration. Examples include, but are not limited to: office equipment including computers, desk cabinets, printers and scanners, any electronic data processing equipment, training/educational equipment, medical supplies, and furnishings, audio-visual, cameras and recording devices. Equipment also includes, but is not limited to, all construction and maintenance equipment, air conditioners, firefighting equipment, and tools, rescue equipment and tools.

FRAUD

The intentional misrepresentation or omission of facts for personal gain.

LOSS

The Town of Madison losing possession or control of any type of asset through fraudulent activities.

MISAPPROPRIATE

To take or make use of any item without authority or right.

§ 690-6 Statement of policy.

The Town of Madison has adopted a zero tolerance policy regarding fraud. No employee of the Town, Town of Madison resident, or Town of Madison property owner who resides outside the Town limits shall remove any Town of Madison asset from the property, misuse any Town asset for one's personal gain, or willfully misappropriate any Town of Madison asset. Any evidence supporting fraud, theft or embezzlement of Town of Madison assets and equipment may be subject to the following actions, including but not limited to, suspension, termination, restitution, and criminal charges. Any utility fraud by the public will be subject to restitution and possible criminal charges.

§ 690-7 Prohibited acts.

Fraud and misuse of Town of Madison assets are prohibited. Examples of fraud and misuse of Town assets include but are not limited to:

Embezzlement.

Misappropriation, misapplication, destruction, removal, or concealment of Town of Madison property.

Alteration or falsification of documents.

Theft of any asset (money, tangible property, etc.).

Authorizing or receiving compensation for goods not received or services not performed.

Authorizing or receiving compensation for hours not worked.

Misrepresentation of fact.

§ 690-8 Complaint procedure.

Employees shall read and it is recommended that residents of the Town of Madison should read and understand this policy. Additionally, suspected or known fraudulent acts by employees shall be reported to their respective supervisor or to the Town Manager. If the employee has reason to believe that his/her supervisor may be involved, the employee shall notify the Town Manager or the Board of Selectmen.

Supervisors shall:

(1)

Communicate the provisions of this policy to all staff;

(2)

Take no action without consulting the department head;

(3)

Recommend appropriate temporary disciplinary action when there is evidence of wrongdoing; and

(4)

If suspension or termination is recommended, consult with the labor relations representative.

Supervisors and/or department heads shall communicate any suspected or known fraudulent act to the Town Manager. The Town Manager may initiate internal investigative actions of the suspected act. The internal investigation may include but is not limited to surveillance, either electronic or visual. Document research may include, but is not limited to, cash terminal journal rolls, ledgers, and accounting records.

All participants in a fraud investigation shall keep the details and results of the investigation confidential.

No supervisor or person acting on behalf of the Town of Madison shall dismiss or threaten to dismiss an employee; discipline or suspend or threaten to discipline or suspend an employee; impose any penalty upon an employee; or intimidate or coerce an employee because the employee has acted in accordance with the requirements of the policy. Any violation of this section may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

§ 690-9 Prevention of loss.

Each department will maintain an internal control environment to protect the department and the Town from loss or other damages as a result of a fraudulent act.

§ 690-10 False allegations.

False allegations of suspected fraud with the intent to disrupt or cause harm to another may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

§ 690-11 Corrective actions and discipline.

Appropriate and timely action will be taken against those proven to have committed a fraudulent act. These remedial actions may include, but are not limited to:

Disciplinary action (up to and including immediate termination of employment).

Restitution for all losses, including investigation and legal expenses, to the fullest extent of the law.

Forwarding information to the appropriate authorities for criminal prosecution.

Institution of civil action to recover losses.

Where the Town of Madison elects to take corrective or disciplinary action, it will proceed under the procedures in place under policy or under any collective bargaining agreement for the respective employment classification.

The Town of Madison may take corrective or disciplinary action without awaiting the resolution of criminal or civil proceedings arising from the fraudulent conduct.

§ 690-12 Confidentiality.

All investigations will be conducted in confidence insofar as reasonably possible. The name or names of those communicating information about a fraudulent act and the name or names of those suspected of a fraudulent act will only be revealed when required by law in conjunction with the investigation or legal action.