What is the role of the County Comptroller?
The Comptroller is the chief accounting and auditing officer of the County and is elected from the County at large for a term of four years beginning with the first day of the January following his/her election. As detailed in the Dutchess County Charter, the powers and duties of the Comptroller include the following: “(a) maintain records of appropriations, encumbrances and expenditures, and prescribe approved methods of accounting for all units of County government, unless otherwise required by the State Comptroller; (b) certify the availability of funds for all requisitions, contracts, purchase orders and other documents by which the County incurs financial obligations or for the expenditure of funds for which the County is responsible; (c) prescribe the form of receipts, vouchers, bills, and claims, unless otherwise required by the State Comptroller; (d) audit and certify for payment all lawful claims or charges against the County, whether for payroll or otherwise, or against funds
