The King County Auditor's Office Highlights of 2010 Accomplishments Report
This report summarizes the accomplishments of the King County Auditor’s Office during 2010. It provides examples of how the auditor’s office promotes and improves performance, accountability, and transparency in King County government through conducting objective and independent audits and services. Hard copies are available if needed; please call or e-mail our office. We appreciate receiving your input and feedback by e-mail or call us at 206-296-1655.
ADVANCING PERFORMANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY & TRANSPARENCY The King County Auditor's Office conducts audits and studies that identify and recommend effective ways to improve county government. We work on a broad range of issues that affect the citizens and services of King County. Highlights of our current projects are:
2011 Audits New audits in 2011 include: Performance Audit of the King County Sheriff's Office, Audit of Custodial Services, Capital Planning Performance Audit of Solid Waste Transfer Stations, Emergency Medical Services Levy Financial Audits, IT Project Management Survey, Performance Audit of Risk Management Office, Review of Productivity Initiative-Wastewater Program (completed), King County Sheriff's Office Internal Investigations Unit and Office of Law Enforcement Oversight Performance Audit, Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention 2010 Jail Audit Follow-up and Budget Proviso Implementation, 2012 Transit Pre-audit Survey, in addition to other follow-up projects and ongoing audits. For more detailed information about the 2011 Auditor's Office Work Program (Motion 13440) passed on March 14, 2011, please click here. Capital Projects Oversight In 2007, the King County Council created the Capital Projects Oversight program within the King County Auditor’s office. The oversight program was established to mitigate capital project overruns and potential problems, contain costs, and inform decision-making processes through adequate, timely, and useful standardized reporting. Current projects being monitored are: Accountable Business Transformation, Brightwater Wastewater Treatment System, South Regional Maintenance Facility (Roads Services Division), Facilities Management Division Project Delivery Management, and Criteria for Capital Project Prioritization. Countywide Community Forms In September 2007, the Metropolitan King County Council enacted a public outreach program called Countywide Community Forums to enhance public participation and civic engagement in government. The program is independently funded and managed. Program coordinators organize small, community based discussion forums countywide to provide feedback on county-related public policy issues, such as budget, customer service, law and justice, and transportation. The auditor’s office oversees the program and ensures that program materials are fair and balanced, data collection and analysis techniques are sound, and donated funds are managed appropriately. Countywide Performance Management Since 2002, the council has enacted legislation seeking to improve the county's use of performance measures, including a 2003 motion that created the auditor-led Performance Measurement (now Management) Work Group with countywide representation. Based on a framework recommended by the Performance Management Work Group and efforts by this office to promote performance management in King County, the 2008 Performance and Accountability Act requires all King County agencies and departments to prepare strategic plans every five years, annual business plans, and relevant performance measures and paved the way for the development of the first countywide strategic plan, approved by the King County Council on July 26, 2010 . Advancing performance-based government is one of the ways the auditor's office promotes cost-effective and accountable county services. |