By Phil Williams
Chief Investigative Reporter
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Metro Nashville internal auditors say Davidson County Clerk John Arriola needs to tighten controls to ensure that taxpayers are getting the best deal.
That Metro audit, released today, follows a more damning state audit obtained Wednesday by NewsChannel 5 Investigates.
"Competitive bidding was not being used to ensure major expenditures were obtained at optimal value," the Metro audit reads.
Among the findings:
- Out of 33 major expenditures reviewed by auditors, 20 (61%) had not documentation "demonstrating 'best value' purchase decisions. Those 20 cases represented more than $509,000 in purchases apparently made without competitive bidding.
- Six purchases on Metro credit cards (40% of purchases reviewed) exceeded the $250 maximum individual purchase limit. "None of the purchases were supported by receipts."
- "Position vacancies have not been widely advertised."
- Metro moneys collected by the clerk's office were not immediately deposited in Metro accounts, as required by the Metro charter. Instead, they were deposited into a separate account and transferred to city coffers semi-annually.
Last July, the Metro finance director revoked Arriola's purchasing authority following questions raised by NewsChannel 5 Investigates.
E-mail: pwilliams@newschannel5.com
Read Metro audit of Davidson County Clerk's Office
Related Stories:
NC5 Investigates: Davidson County Clerk
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