(DEWEY BEACH, Del.) - A seven-page report from a Delmarva auditing company details asset and fund mismanagement by the town of Dewey Beach during the tenure of former town manager Marc Appelbaum and under the previous board of commissioners.
The brand new town manager, Scott Koenig, believes Dewey grew too big for the old regime.
"What you're seeing is Dewey Beach from a very small town to a town that has more responsibilities and needs to take more time and attention focusing on policies and procedures," said Koenig.
The report mentions the mismanagement of federal gifted vehicles and equipment which led many to believe the police had a slush fund. But the auditors' findings vindicate them.
"We're happy. We reviewed the report and we're looking forward to working with mayor and council and the new town manager. We're committed to serving the citizens. That's what we originally go the equipment for and that's what we used it for," said Dewey Police Chief Sam Mackert.
All of the allegations seem to be the result of improper bookkeeping for the assets.
"We should have had a manifest that everybody knew about, and I think everybody should have been on the same page with those programs," Koenig added.
Now with a new manager, Dewey Beach is looking to implement new procedures, making sure things stay on the up and up.
"We're gonna have a very detailed asset disposal methodology that is compliant with recommendations from our accountant and our auditors," said Koenig.
The auditing firm made four recommendations for improvement. The town of Dewey Beach plans to start implementing two of those in May.