Controller reports: hotel tax due $639; Greydale custodial fund audit finds adequate procedures

The Northampton County controller briefed the finance committee Sept. 16 on a set of fiscal audits and procedures covering hotel tax receipts, a Magisterial District Judge audit and the Greydale custodial fund.

On routine hotel-tax agreed-upon procedures for the SE Mansion and Hampton Inn, the controller reported a combined total due of about $639. The MDJ financial audit returned clean findings with no material exceptions, the controller said.

A more involved performance audit of Greydale custodial funds — accounts that hold resident monies — found generally adequate procedures and training despite turnover among staff. The controller said the auditors identified one procedural recommendation: reviewer signatures on deposit slips to document supervisory review. Management agreed to institute that practice. The controller noted that millions of dollars flow through the custodial fund accounts and emphasized the importance of documented controls.

Committee members also discussed interest thresholds for resident custodial accounts; federal guidance requires paying interest when balances exceed $100 and the state statute uses $50. The controller said Greydale has moved to interest-bearing accounts to meet the stricter federal standard as a best practice.