Connecticut Department of Agriculture Audit Reveals Procurement and Payroll Issues
A recent state audit has uncovered significant procurement and payroll issues within the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. The audit, covering fiscal years 2021 to 2023, found that the department failed to obtain the required number of price quotes for multimedia service purchases, totaling $244,000. This lack of compliance with competitive procurement requirements could potentially limit the department's access to quality services at lower costs. Additionally, the audit highlighted issues with the approval of employee timesheets, with nine timesheets representing $30,586 in payroll lacking proper approval. The department also faced criticism for not preapproving overtime and compensatory time, which could lead to unauthorized expenses. In response, the department has agreed with the audit's findings and is taking steps to improve internal controls and compliance with procurement and payroll policies. 
