Hollister
– Operations are improving at San Benito County’s transportation
and transit planning agencies, according to a recent audit.
Hollister – Operations are improving at San Benito County’s transportation and transit planning agencies, according to a recent audit.
In its independent audit of the San Benito County Council of Governments and the Local Transportation Authority, Majic Consulting Group found that the agencies’ practices have improved since the previous audit in 2004. LTA and COG are doing a better job of tracking costs, the auditor said, but the agencies need to keep better records of their employees’ time and work.
“The LTA has improved the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations,” the auditor wrote.
State law requires that COG and LTA pay for an independent audit every three years. According to a COG staff report, the 2007 audit cost $14,677.
COG and LTA serve different functions – the former is in charge of local transportation planning, including construction of the new Highway 25 bypass, while the latter manages the county’s transit system. But they are governed by the same board of directors and share staff.
Majic Consulting did, however, criticize the blurred line between LTA and COG, arguing that the agencies should keep better track of when COG employees work on LTA projects.
The audit examines the period from July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2006, said Mary Dinkuhn, COG’s transportation planning manager. Since the end of the audit period, COG already has started implementing some of the recommendations, Dinkuhn said.
“The main thing is that we’ve hired a planner focused solely on transit,” she said.
Due to COG’s small staff size, employees had to work on both COG and LTA projects, Dinkuhn said, but the new transit planner should create a more precise distinction between the two agencies.
Majic Consulting also suggested the agencies improve bus fare security and file reports, including the audit, in a more timely fashion.
Dinkuhn said new security measures will be implemented when LTA hires a new bus operator. Most of the problems with late paperwork occurred several years ago, and new leadership and staffing have straightened things out, she said.
“For example, this audit will definitely be filed on time,” Dinkuhn said.
San Juan Bautista City Councilman George Dias, chairman of COG’s board of directors, said he’s pleased with the audit results.
“It’s a report card,” Dias said. “I think it came out well. I truly expect to get 100 percent next time.”
COG’s budget for 2007-08 is more than $42 million. LTA’s budget is $1.9 million.
