Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Associations in 13 Counties
Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Associations in 13 Counties
HARRISBURG (April 1, 2020) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) in Armstrong, Berks, Chester, Cumberland, Erie, Greene, Jefferson, Lancaster, Lawrence, Luzerne, McKean, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
“My audits of volunteer firefighter relief associations ensure that critical state funds are used properly in helping volunteer firefighters save lives and protect communities,” DePasquale said.
State aid for VFRAs comes from a 2 percent tax on fire insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania by out-of-state companies. In 2019, 2,518 municipalities received nearly $60 million for distribution to VFRAs to provide training, purchase equipment and insurance, and pay for death benefits for volunteer firefighters.
The Department of the Auditor General distributes the state aid and audits VFRAs. The full audit reports for VFRAs with findings are available online using the links provided below; others are available online at: www.PaAuditor.gov/audit-reports.
Armstrong County
Complied with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures as they relate to the receipt of state aid and the expenditure of relief association funds, except for one finding: untimely receipt and deposit of state aid.
Kittanning Township VFRA – No findings.
Berks County
Earl Township VFRA – No findings.
Chester County
Good Fellowship VFRA – No findings.
Cumberland County
Complied with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures as they relate to the receipt of state aid and the expenditure of relief association funds, except for one finding: noncompliance with prior audit recommendation for failure to maintain a Pennsylvania sales tax exemption number.
The VFRA’s sales tax exemption number expired in 2009.
Erie County
Springfield VFRA – No findings.
Greene County
Graysville VFRA – No findings.
Jefferson County
Corsica VFRA – No findings.
Lancaster County
Complied with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures as they relate to the receipt of state aid and the expenditure of relief association funds, except for three findings: inadequate relief association bylaws, inappropriate payments on rental agreement and noncompliance with prior audit recommendation for failure to maintain minutes of meetings.
The VFRA prepaid rent through January 2025.
Lawrence County
Volant VFRA – No findings.
Luzerne County
Complied with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures as they relate to the receipt of state aid and the expenditure of relief association funds, except for two findings: inadequate relief association bylaws and failure to maintain minutes of meetings.
McKean County
Eldred Township VFRA – No findings.
Washington County
Cokeburg VFRA – No findings.
Peters Township VFRA – No findings.
Westmoreland County
Complied with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures as they relate to the receipt of state aid and the expenditure of relief association funds, except for one finding: untimely receipt and deposit of state aid.
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