On August 23, 2019, the Office of the District of Columbia Auditor (ODCA) released its audit of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8C, after several months of investigation. The audit of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8C covered Fiscal Year 2017 (October 1, 2016) through March 31, 2019. The ODCA found that the former ANC 8C Treasurer and former Chairperson misappropriated funds resulting in $15,688 in unauthorized spending and $14,188 of what appears to be fraudulent spending.

The audit also found that elected members of the ANC 8C Commission failed to carry out their fiduciary duties, resulting in the loss of allotments totaling $16,466 for the entire Fiscal Year 2018 and $8,233 for Fiscal Year 2019. That is a total of $40,387 that taxpayer’s as a whole and residents of Commission 8C in particular, lost due to the negligence of the previous commission. 

On Monday August 26, 2019, I spoke with a representative of the ODCA. I was informed that the Office of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission has been notified, as well as the Inspector General of its findings.  The Inspector General will conduct its own investigation. 

Commission 8C has 90 calendar days to provide in writing to the Auditor a response to each of the alleged infractions. After reviewing the full Auditor’s report, I believe Commission 8C needs to work towards restoring the public’s trust while bolstering internal accountability. The first corrective action that has been taken is the former treasurer (who is still presently a commissioner) has been relieved of all fiduciary responsibilities. Second, upon becoming secretary in February of 2019, I have worked to ensure the Commission has accurate meeting minutes. Moving forward, I am recommending the following to the Commission Chairperson:
 

A. Conduct Budget Hearings 

Budget hearings will provide residents with a chance to understand how the ANC is financed, how funds can properly be disbursed and have input on how they would like to see the funds used. 

B. Develop An Itemized Budget 

Having an itemized budget will create the opportunity to have an accurate account of exactly where commission plans to spend its funds. It will also show the residents that the commission is paying very close attention to detail and can account for every cent.

C. Increase Transparency

1. Develop a Commission website where the meeting minutes, treasurer’s report, and bylaws can be posted online. 

2. Keep a physical record of the minutes and treasurer’s reports at the 8C office for residents to view that may not have internet access.

3. Provide the secretary of the commission with a copy of the commission meetings sign-in sheets.  This will allow the secretary to electronically notify all residents and stakeholders of commission meetings, business and resolutions. 

D. Updated Bylaws and Standard Operating Procedures

Update the bylaws and create standard operating procedures to reflect the new internal controls.

Single Member District 8C07 will resume its monthly meetings on September 25, 2019 and I will be available to answer any questions you may have. The meeting will be held at 6:30 pm at the following location:

Bright Beginnings
3418 4th St SE
Washington, DC 20032

You can register for the meeting by clicking here. 

I can be contacted via email at salim.adofo@anc.dc.gov if you have any questions.