The Metro Auditor’s Office released an audit today that looked at how decisions are made to financially support a non-Metro activity or event through sponsorships. Over the last three fiscal years, these expenditures totaled $344,047. The purpose of this audit was to see if procedures were in place to ensure that decisions were transparent and related to Metro’s goals, and that Metro received a benefit in return.
Metro developed guidelines in 2008 to manage the requests received for sponsorships. A committee developed criteria for departments to follow. The Metro Council was to be notified and allowed an opportunity to weigh in on requests over $1,000. The audit found that procedures were not followed consistently in the agency.
“It is important for a government to ensure accountability and transparency in its decision-making. Metro’s procedures were not available publicly,” Metro Auditor Suzanne Flynn said. “And in some cases, expenditure did not seem to meet the criteria for a sponsorship.” Auditor Flynn stated that she was pleased with the response to the audit and that Metro had committed to reviewing and improving its procedures.
For more information, contact Suzanne Flynn, Metro Auditor, at 503-797-1891. The audit is available on the Metro website at http://www.oregonmetro.gov/auditor . Copies of the audit can also be obtained by calling the Office of the Metro Auditor at 503-797-1892. The Metro Auditor will brief the Metro Council on a later date.