ALBANY – Although the Sloatsburg Village Board adopted a purchasing policy, it is inadequate and village officials did not always adhere to it.

The State Comptroller’s Office said the policy did not require the use of competition or provide proper and detailed guidance for village employees when procuring professional services.

The policy simply stated that "professional services requiring special or technical skill, training or expertise must be chosen on accountability, reliability, responsibility, education and training, judgment, integrity and moral worth. These qualifications are not necessarily found in the individual or company that offers the lowest price and the nature of the services are such that they do not readily lend themselves to competitive procurement procedures."

As a result, village officials paid $50,208 for professional services and $15,387 for goods without seeking competition, the state audit said.