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Government of District of Columbia (D.C.) Office of the Inspector General
Kansas City, Missouri Office of the City Auditor
City of Palo Alto, California Office of the City Auditor
Large Shop:
Government of District of Columbia (D.C.) Office of the Inspector General
Audit of Management of the 401 (a) Defined Contribution Pension Plan.The judges commented that The D.C. study demonstrated an area that is often overlooked yet holds out a great opportunity for significant savings. The conclusions reached are applicable to any jurisdiction. The recommendations speak to making government more efficient and effective in its expenditure of funds. The report is well written and clear in its identification of the problem and the solution. It speaks to innovation, as this is an area that can be easily overlooked.
This audit resulted in $22 million being immediately returned and another $5.5 million to be returned to the District for previous disbursements. The amounts represented a real financial recovery for the District. The audit was very concise and powerful. Presentation was straightforward and to the point with no room for argument – correct now and manage in the future. Interim reporting resulted in swift recovery of funds. Credit for suggesting the audit was given to a former employee. Using the City's investment policy as a model for risk assessment of the investment of forfeited funds was an excellent idea.
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Medium-size Shop:
Kansas City, Missouri Office of the City Auditor
Controls over Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Expenditures The City of Kansas City, Missouri Office of the City Auditor is this year’s winner of its Knighton Award for medium size audit agencies for its report titled “Controls over Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Expenditures".
The judges commented that the audit concluded that of the $31 million approved by the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Commission for developer reimbursements, more than $7 million in developer expenses were either unsupported or supported with inadequate documentation. The findings contained in the audit raised serious concerns about developer reimbursements in prior years and about the $228 million that the TIF Commission has approved but not yet paid to developers. The audit also identified underpayments to Kansas City and Clay County totaling more than $3 million.
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Small-size Shop:
City of Palo Alto, California Office of the City Auditor
Audit of the Development Review Process
The judges commented that the programs reviewed and the recommendations offered are common to many jurisdictions. Therefore, the results of the audits were instructive and transferable and have the potential for significant impact throughout the local government auditing community. Also, the focus of the recommendations was on efficient, effective, and accountable government. The report was clear, concise and persuasive.
The report focused on the development review process from the customers’ viewpoint. The findings and recommendations were broad-based, well received by the city council and city manager, and when the recommendations are fully implemented, a significant improvement, in the way the city conducts its business, is expected.
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Auditing Awards