Audit Of The Wimberley Volunteer Fire Department Shows Deficiencies

Four Deficiencies were found by the audit of Wimberley’s Volunteer Fire Department; officials say the deficiencies were caused by lack of knowledge.

The Wimberley Volunteer Fire Department is making procedural changes after being audited for the first time in several years.

On Tuesday, the fire department was given a presentation, which showed four major deficiencies in the department’s records.

The audit found unrecorded bank accounts connected with the volunteer fire department and expenditures of thousands of dollars, which were not discussed amongst department members.

Audit presenter, William Grimsley, said the deficiencies did not appear to be intentional; the department simply did not know the rules.

The Volunteer Fire Department’s accounting system failed to include all of the financial data for the department. The internal and external reports were misstated.

According to the audit, the department also was violating its constitutional laws; checks were signed by only one non-executive officer when two are required legally.

The department’s meeting minutes showed the organization had not disclosed certain major transactions to members.

Finally, auditors found several of the department’s fixed assets were not recorded or located on the Fire Department’s property.

Wimberley VFD Chief, Carrol Czichos’, said the asset had been parked on his property because the department did not have anywhere else to keep it.

In light of the deficiencies revealed by the audit, the department says it has already updated the system to include all accounts and made adjustments to its procedures.

At the moment, there is no indication that the department will suffer penalties. Czichos’ said the department will be more prepared for future audits and will continue to fight fires.