Council wants swift action on state audit recommendations

July 20, 2009

Summary

Phillips proposal calls for action plan by August 28

Story

Responding to a state audit of King County, the Metropolitan King County Council today unanimously passed a motion calling for the Executive develop a comprehensive action plan for responding to the issues raised in the audit by August 28, 2009.

“The state auditor’s findings are an opportunity to roll up our sleeves and get to work providing improved safeguards over public resources,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips, sponsor of the motion. “Public money and assets must be accounted for and protected, and county rules and procedures must be followed. Anything less is unacceptable.”

Last month, the Washington State Auditor’s Office issued an Accountability Auditor Report for King County. The State Auditor made twelve findings in his report, pertaining to construction management, cash management in the Executive, Assessor, and District Court offices, inventory management in the Executive and Sheriff’s offices, fleet replacement funding, contract management and legal compliance in the Sheriff’s office, and records and system management in the District Court.

The motion adopted by the Council calls on the Executive to present to the Council the steps he would take to address the findings in the audit. The report is to be presented to Councilmembers by August 28.

The King County Council has consistently exercised its powers under the county charter to promote oversight and accountability of County services and agencies. In 2008, the Council adopted the Performance and Accountability Act to establish a countywide performance management and reporting system. That legislation codified an existing performance management organizational structure, created an executive Office of Performance Management, codified an existing countywide performance management work group, and requires strategic planning and regular reports. The Council also created the Capital Projects Oversight program, which provides procedural and direct project oversight of over $2 billion in capital projects.



Read the motion