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Transportation Commission, MDOT welcome audit suggestions
JACKSON, MISS. – The Mississippi Transportation Commission and Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) this week received the agency’s performance audit report. The performance audit was prepared by HKA Global Inc. on behalf of the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor.
The audit analyzed 29 areas of focus including MDOT’s organization and staffing, use of consultants, delivery of construction projects, maintenance and fleet management. In 15 of the focus areas, HKA reported that MDOT exceeded industry leading practices or met them. In six focus areas, HKA found that laws, regulations or market forces prevented MDOT from performing optimally. HKA made suggestions for potential improvements in eight areas within MDOT’s operations.
“MDOT continually looks for ways to increase its efficiencies and recognizes there is always room for improvement,” said Melinda McGrath, P.E., MDOT Executive Director. “We plan to use this report as a guiding document to analyze recommendations and develop an action plan to prioritize and implement process improvements.”
MDOT is overseen by the Mississippi Transportation Commission, a three-member elected body which sets policy to guide the agency.
Commission Chairman Tom King said, “This audit confirms that MDOT is one of the leading DOTs in the nation in many areas. It’s a testament to the leadership who efficiently run the agency with the resources available. The report provides guidance for how this commission can continue to improve MDOT and provide for the safety of Mississippians.”
Central District Commissioner Willie Simmons said, “Being a new commissioner, I appreciate having a fresh audit of MDOT. MDOT’s mission is very broad and utilizes many internal and external systems. This report will be a useful tool in continuing to improve MDOT’s effectiveness and efficiency in executing that mission.”
Northern District Commissioner John Caldwell said, “It was encouraging to read that the majority of completed projects in the three-year study period were under budget or within 10 percent of the original contract amount. I am looking forward to getting into more of the details over the next several weeks so that we can make the best use of the information, observations and recommendations.”
A full copy of the performance audit report is available at Office of the State Auditor’s website, www.osa.state.ms.us.