Hometown Hall

Wednesday, September 17th, the Finance Committee of the Board of the Department of Transportation met to discuss findings related to two audits conducted by the Department of Audits and Accounts (DOAA). The first was an audit of the Department's Right of Way Office.

Initial findings by the DOAA indicate that the GDOT Office of Right of Way has not developed a comprehensive system of management controls to ensure existing business processes are operating as intended. The audit further indicates that improvements are needed and recommended in all the Office’s areas of responsibility.

The Department accepts their findings and recommendations and is working on a process to begin implementation of these recommendations. In the meantime the Department is halting Right of Way acquisition for projects that are not being built within the next 2-3 years.

The second is a financial audit.

The initial findings from the Department of Audits and Accounts indicate that we have an approximately 456 million dollar shortfall for FY’08. The audit further indicates and recommends that GDOT pull down from the FY’09 budget to close out FY’08 with a zero balance. The Board will have a special called meeting on September 26th at 10 am to discuss options for financial redirection for FY’09.

The Department recognizes that these are difficult times and we have been transparent about the challenges we face financially.

We welcomed this audit so that we would have a clear picture, and know what actions steps we would need to take to continue to move the agency forward. It is a relief to have that clear picture. Now the real work begins. Our goal is to move forward in creating a fiscally responsible shortfall management plan.

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