NORTH TONAWANDA—North Tonawanda Mayor Robert G. Ortt on Wednesday announced a new policy and tighter audit controls on city-provided cell phones.

Ortt said the reforms, in response to a controversy over cell phone use, will eliminate unjustified calls and save the taxpayers money. The administration’s recent review of cell phone use by city employees revealed the city lacked a pol-icy on the use of cell phones.

“An annual cost savings of $3,000 will be realized by eliminating the use of 34 cellular phones that were not needed,” the mayor said. “. . . Given the current economic constraints out there, government has to be more frugal and watch how we spend every single dollar.”

Ortt also said an audit will be done every month to monitor cell phone use.