Auditors find million-dollar mistake in state construction projects
Lax accounting and documentation potentially cost taxpayers millions of dollars in lost revenue at state facilities and in unapproved change orders on construction projects, according to a recent state audit.
“Without sufficient documentation and evidence of authorization, there is less assurance that transactions are completed in accordance with state policies and procedures,” auditors wrote in the report released Thursday.
An initial review of the state Public Works Department of construction services revealed that 20 randomly selected change orders totaling $1.3 million were incomplete and lacked proper approval.
Further review showed that 11 change orders totaling $537,394, or 31 percent of those examined, didn’t have required signatures, and that obsolete forms lacking accountability controls were used in 13 instances. That indicates that work commenced before actual approval was given, auditors say in the report.
Read more: http://www.journalinquirer.com/connecticut_and_region/auditors-find-million-dollar-mistake-in-state-construction-projects/article_5e067b46-4d04-11e6-b53a-f30793b3b1fb.html