UPDATE; Lewis County Government responds to latest state audit report concerning Lewis County IDA and Naturally Lewis Inc.
LOWVILLE- Officials from Lewis County Government have responded to the recent audit situation concerning the Lewis County IDA and their apparent overpayment of more than $300,000 for general administrative and staff support services to Naturally Lewis Inc.
In a statement released Thursday morning, the county government office said that it “has no involvement” with the IDA’s financial decisions. Furthermore, officials clarify that while there are two legislators that sit on the IDA board, they do not sit on the auditing committee.
Also, being that the IDA is a New York State Authorized Public Benefit Corporation, officials have clarified that the Lewis County Board of Legislators does not review their financial records.
Instead, officials are saying that the LCIDA operates independently, and this issue highlights the need for stronger oversight and accountability, as addressed in the report.
In an update released Thursday afternoon, the Lewis County IDA issued a statement of their own, clarifying that there are no missing funds, as originally stated in the audit report.
"The IDA has a legal agreement with Naturally Lewis, approved by both boards, for staff services," said Joe Lawrence, Lewis County IDA Chairperson.
"The Comptrollers office interpretation of this agreement determined overpayment in the first-year of the contract, not in total funds. In fact, the Comptrollers interpretation of the agreement found that over the next several years the contract will result in a greater total amount to be paid to Naturally Lewis for staff services. Naturally Lewis is responsibly managing this funding for its intended purposes."
Read the IDA' complete statement below:
The Lewis County IDA had a routine audit from the NYS Comptroller’s office in 2024. The recent news release of the audit summary has raised questions regarding the staff services agreement between the IDA and Naturally Lewis. As the full report clearly explains, there is no funding missing or ill intent. The IDA has a legal agreement with Naturally Lewis, approved by both boards, for staff services. The Comptrollers office interpretation of this agreement determined overpayment in the first-year of the contract, not in total funds. In fact, the Comptrollers interpretation of the agreement found that over the next several years the contract will result in a greater total amount to be paid to Naturally Lewis for staff services. Naturally Lewis is responsibly managing this funding for its intended purposes.
Naturally Lewis, Inc. was established in 2023 to be the hub of economic development for Lewis County in partnership with the Lewis County IDA, Lewis County Development Corporation and Lewis County Chamber of Commerce. One aspect of this partnership is Naturally Lewis providing staff services to the other entities through staff services agreements with all partner entities and all entities focused on the same economic development initiatives to benefit Lewis County.
The IDA accepts the Comptrollers interpretation of the legal agreement and is actively working in coordination with the Comptrollers office to submit an official action plan to explain how the IDA and Naturally Lewis will reformat the payment schedule. Steps to amend the structure have already been taken for the 2025 agreement and budget. As always, the goals of all partner entities remain the same, to advance economic development in Lewis County by providing technical resources and thoughtful investments for the community, which the funds in question remain dedicated to.
We are expected to speak with IDA officials for a follow up on-sir segment soon.
Lewis County government image.
***This publication was updated with new developments as of 4:00 a.m. Friday, June 20, 2025***
