Aymar-Blair talks audits, terminology and reelection

POUGHKEEPSIE — His professional life may be filled with contracts, spreadsheets and reports, but Dan Aymar-Blair wouldn’t want it any other way. “This is what I love to do,” he said in a recent conversation with the News. “I just got elected to do my dream job.”

The comptroller is elected to a four-year term. The role’s primary responsibility is to provide oversight through reviews and audits of county departments, agencies under contract to county vendors — or, as Aymar-Blair explains it, “We don’t just look at numbers. We look at policies and procedures. It’s about the process.”

Additionally, the comptroller — who acts in the capacity of chair of the audit committee — oversees the annual audit of county financial statements as well as procedures, policy and regulations impacting the county’s financial and accounting procedures by an independent auditor.

As a gatekeeper for the fiscal health of the county, the comptroller is also a source of quality control and much of Aymar-Blair’s work revolves around measured observation and sound judgment. Numbers obviously factor in, but so does situational assessment. “Auditing is a scientific exercise,” he said, explaining that audits should not be viewed as intimidating in any way. He stressed that his findings are based solely on reviews of data and contracts as a means of checking for discrepancies to ensure Dutchess County’s financial interests are being served.

In addition to paperwork and process scrutiny, Aymar-Blair reviews outside vendors to determine their efficiency and effectiveness. “We periodically do an audit report on our partners,” he said. “We make recommendations to improve them.” After recommendations are handed down from the comptroller’s office, it is crucial that these recommendations are implemented.

A greater understanding of what the comptroller does can be gained from the knowledge of the vernacular attached to the position. According to Aymar-Blair, expenditures are best defined as a decrease in net financial resources. An encumbrance is defined as a commitment or a contract to pay. He is currently working on a glossary of terms which he hopes will provide additional insight into his work.

He was quick to point out politics does not play a role in his decision-making process. “You could make the role partisan if you want, [but] auditors do apolitical work,” he said. While Aymar-Blair is a Democrat, he acknowledges the importance of collaboration with his fellow public servants in Dutchess County, many of whom are Republican. “I support anything we can do in a bipartisan way,” he said. “We have to agree.” Of his relationship with county executive Sue Serino as well as other Dutchess officers, Aymar-Blair stated they are working together in a team-oriented manner to yield collective results. “It’s very positive,” he said. “Sue and I are off to a good start. Everyone’s been very welcoming.”

As Aymar-Blair acclimates himself to his environment, having been in position for three months, he’s already working toward long-term goals and is hoping to remain in the position. As previously announced he’s already running for reelection and hopes to stay in place. “I’m very interested in working as comptroller for as long as possible,” he said. “I want to continue the work.” His opponent, Republican Will Truitt, R-Pleasant Valley, officially announced his candidacy on Feb. 22.

Aymar-Blair pointed out he’s seeking to weed out waste and corruption, and is looking to call attention to items in need of scrutiny. “I want to improve transparency, increase the number of audit reports, and increase accessibility to audit reports,” he said. He believes visibility matters, as does a willingness to advocate on behalf of Dutchess residents. Said Aymar-Blair, “Government should help — not hurt — the people.”