Department of Natural Resources and Parks

Performance Audit of Solid Waste Transfer Station Capital Projects (2011)
Rob McGowan, Bob Thomas, Kymber Waltmunson

The purpose of this performance audit was to assess whether the rate proposal submitted by King County’s Solid Waste Division (SWD) of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks would be feasible within a sustainable financial plan, and to evaluate the cost effectiveness of the transfer station capital improvement projects which directly influences disposal rates.The objectives of the performance audit include 1) evaluate the adequacy of the Solid Waste Division’s (SWD) rate model and sub-models, and the relationship of the rate proposal to the development of a sustainable financial plan. Second, we evaluated the cost effectiveness of the Bow Lake, Factoria, northeast King County, and south King County transfer station projects. Presented September 7, 2011.

Report in pdf Format (774 KB)

Assessment of the Wastewater Treatment Division’s Productivity Initiative Pilot Program (2011)
Brian Estes, FCS GROUP(Consultant)

An independent review of the Wastewater Treatment Division's Productivity Initiative Pilot Program was authorized by the County Council by passing Ordinance 14941. FCS GROUP performed this independent review of the operational component of the initiative under the direction of the King County Auditor’s Office. Presented March 15, 2011.

Report in pdf Format (920 KB)  Report Summary (69 KB)

Oversight Monitoring Consultant Report - Review of Brightwater Cost Update, Current Conditions and Trends, January 2010 (2010)
Tina Rogers, R.W. Beck

The Wastewater Treatment Division transmitted their annual Brightwater Program cost update-the 2010 Trend Report-to council on April 30. It shows a revised cost estimate of $1,816 to $1,857 million, up approximately 1% from the previous year's estimate. The Trend Report estimate is based on information available as of December 31, 2009. Many significant developments have occurred since that time to address the construction delays on the Central Tunnel of the Brightwater conveyance system and potentially impacting the cost of the project. Issued June 8, 2010.

2010 Trend Report (485 KB)

Brightwater Oversight Monitoring Consultant Report on the Proposed Jay Dee Coluccio (JDC) Contract for BT-3 Tunnel Mining Completion (2010)
Tina Rogers

Management Letter (123 KB)

Follow-up Review of 2005 and 2006 Brightwater Project Performance Audits (2008)
Susan Baugh

This management letter review is to document the county's progress in implementing the 2005 and 2006 Brightwater Project performance audit recommendations for improving the Wastewater Treatment Division's procurement and contracting practices. Presented July 8, 2008.

Management Letter (1.28 MB)

Oversight Monitoring Consultant Review of the Brightwater Cost Update, 2008 Trend Report (2008)
Tina Rogers, R.W. Beck

The Oversight Monitoring Consultant report provides an analysis of the WTD's current Brightwater total program cost estimate compared to WTD's 2004 baseline budget and 2007 trend estimate. WTD's updated 2008 Trend Report estimate is $1.802 billon. This estimate reflects a $35 million (2 percent) increase over the 2007 trend estimate with increases in the Brightwater Treatment Plant of $35.5 million and a $.5 million offsetting decrease in the Conveyance costs.

2008 Trend Report (414 KB)

Brightwater Project Quarterly Oversight Report (2007/2008/2009/2010/2011)
Tina Rogers, Tom Wood, Susan Baugh, R.W. Beck

Brightwater project quarterly oversight reports recognize steps the Wastewater Treatment Division is taking to successfully manage the Brightwater Project and deal with the changing construction environment. The reports also respond to the County Council's goal of strengthening the Brightwater Project's performance and accountability through independent, expert oversight. The reports are presented to the King County Council Capital Budget Committee.

Quarter Ending September 30, 2011 (1.06 MB)
Quarter Ending June 30, 2011  (571 KB)
Quarters Ending December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010  (1.14 MB)
Quarter Ending September 30, 2009  (2,819 KB)
Quarter Ending March 31, 2009  (887 KB)
Quarter Ending June 30, 2009 (432 KB)
Quarter Ending September 30, 2008 (497 KB)
Quarter Ending June 30, 2008 (488 KB)
June 2008 Report (329 KB)
May 2007 Report (405 KB)
September 2007 Report (395 KB)
December 2007 Report (412 KB)

Management of Brightwater Treatment Plant Engineering Services Contract Amendments (2006)
Susan Baugh, Jan Lee

This audit evaluates the county's management of the contracting processes, including contract amendments, for the professional design engineering services for the Brightwater treatment plant. Presented October 9, 2006.

Report in pdf Format (711 KB) Report Summary (29KB)

King County Procurement Practices for Brightwater Professional Design Engineering Services (2005)
Susan Baugh, Wendy Soo Hoo, Jan Lee

This performance audit examined the timeliness and cost effectiveness of the county’s procurement and contracting practices for professional design engineering services. Best practices were also considered for procurement of professional design engineering services to identify potential opportunities for improvement. Presented June 28, 2005.

Report in pdf Format (904 KB) Report Summary (28 KB)

Follow-up: Wastewater Treatment Division Capital Planning (2004)
Valerie Whitener

This is a follow-up review of the Wastewater Treatment Division's efforts to implement recommendations from our 2003 performance audit of the division's capital planning activities. Presented December 10, 2004.

Management Letter in pdf Format (27 KB)

Wastewater Treatment Division Capital Planning (2003)
Valerie Whitener, Bob Thomas, David Reynolds

The performance audit evaluated major project management processes for wastewater treatment projects in the Wastewater Division of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks including program development, cost and budget development, and information/data reporting to decision makers. Presented September 23, 2003.

Report in PDF Format (391 KB)

Groundwater Protection Services Inventory Review (2003)
David Reynolds

Pursuant to a program oversight mandate included in Ordinance 14214 (2001), the auditor’s office reviewed to what extent groundwater protection services are being provided by King County and prepare an inventory of those groundwater protection services that are provided and are not provided by King County. As mandated, the auditor’s office will deliver this information to the council by July 2003. Issued July 22, 2003.

Management Letter in PDF Format (44 KB)

Parks Department Span of Control (2000)
Harriet Richardson, Maura Sullivan

The study determined what staffing changes occurred in the Parks Department since 1993 and how those changes impacted the department's span of control, and determined whether the ratio of administrative and support staff to service and program staff had changed and the reason for such changes, if any. Presented December 12, 2000.

Report in PDF Format (101KB) Report Appendices (1.33MB) Report Summary

Scale Operator Injury Claims (2000)
Nancy McDaniel, Paul Walker

The audit reviewed transfer station safety and injury claims and determined the effectiveness of the Solid Waste Division and the Safety and Claims Management Program in resolving such claims. Presented December 12, 2000.

Report in PDF Format (481KB) Report Summary

East Lake Sammamish Trail (1999)
Bobby Buyco

The study reviewed the purchase of the East Lake Sammamish Trail right-of-way to determine if the transaction followed procedures established by the County for the acquisition of real property and determine whether the purchase price was supported by independent appraisals. Presented June 8, 1999.

Report in PDF Format (759KB) Report Summary

Surface Water Management Program (1997)
Makoto (Mac) Fletcher , Paul Walker

The study evaluated the six-year financial plan and its effect on staffing, organization and allocation of costs. Also reviewed future service boundary adjustments due to annexations and incorporations and the growth management act, and programming coordination with other jurisdictions. Issued November 14, 1997.

Report Summary

Neighborhood Drainage Assistance Program Coordination of Work Among Agencies (1997)
Bobby Buyco

The special study evaluated the efficiency and effectiveness of coordination between County agencies on capital improvement projects. Presented October 14, 1997.

Report Summary

Department of Metropolitan Services West Point & Renton Wastewater Treatment Facilities Construction Management Audit (1996)
The Barba-Arkhon Audit Team

The audit examined the policies and procedures used by Metro to manage large capital improvement projects.

Report Summary

Cultural Programs (1996)
Paul Walker, Bobby Buyco

The audit determined whether the programs administered by the Cultural Resources Division, which are funded by the King County Arts and Cultural Development fund, achieved the mandate as described in the King County Code, and whether internal controls over grants were adequate.

Report Summary

Sewage Facilities Capacity Charge (1995)
Makoto (Mac) Fletcher , Paul Walker

The audit evaluated whether the sewer capacity charge complied with legislative mandates and reviewed the monthly capacity charge, the use of capacity charge revenues, and the capacity charge billing system.

Report Summary

County Fair Financial and Contract Management (1995)
Makoto (Mac) Fletcher , Bert Golla, Paul Walker

The audit reviewed the financial, contract management and administrative policies and procedures, including relevant internal controls, related to the operation and management of the annual King County Fair.

Report Summary

Surface Water Management Non-Construction CIP Costs (1994)
Makoto (Mac) Fletcher

This special study performed a general review of the policies and procedures for estimating and budgeting SWM non-construction CIP project costs.

Report Summary

Solid Waste Division -- Internal Controls for Handling and Storage of Parts, Fuel, and Other Operating Supplies (1993)
Bert Golla

The audit evaluated the Solid Waste Division's internal controls related to fuel usage, inventory handling, and storage of Documentsparts and supplies.

Report Summary

Acceptance of Special Waste at County Landfills (1993)
Bert Golla

This special study determined whether the Solid Waste Division was in compliance with County policies, procedures, and regulations related to accepting or not accepting certain solid waste for disposal.

Report Summary

Surface Water Management (SWM) Service Charges (1993)
Makoto (Mac) Fletcher , Bobby Buyco, Paul Walker

The audit reviewed the basis of the SWM service charge by focusing on the rate setting methodology and the reasonableness of the underlying data and assumptions.

Report Summary

Office of Open Space Financial Administration (1993)
Makoto (Mac) Fletcher

The audit investigated the nature and cause of a $190,000 budget overrun in the Office of Open Space's 1992 administrative budget and determined the reasons for significant delays in identifying the budget problem.

Report Summary

Solid Waste Equipment Replacement Practices (1992)
Bobby Buyco, Ivy Teng

The audit determined whether Solid Waste equipment was replaced economically.

Report Summary