PER-2020-4200

This audit found that the Department of Transportation (Department) planned to spend approximately $5.94 billion in state fiscal year 2019, but exceeded that amount by $742 million (12.5%) and was in danger of falling below the statutory cash floor. The Department exceeded its Spending plan because the (1) Spending Plan was not based on cost estimates of the specific projects and operations the Department scheduled for the fiscal year, (2) Chief Engineer’s Office did not monitor highway division compliance with the Spending Plan, and (3) the Chief Engineer’s Office did not enforce highway division compliance with the Spending Plan.
Details about each item are provided in the Finding, Recommendations, and Responses section of the report. The Department agreed with the results of the audit. However, to ensure that readers have complete and accurate information and are not misled, the report includes a State Auditor’s Response.