The Association of Local Government Auditors has awarded Metro with the Knighton Gold Award for Small Audit Shop. The award will be presented during ALGA's annual conference on May 17 in San Antonio. The audit receiving the award, Oregon Zoo Capital Construction: Metro's readiness to construct 2008 bond project" was released November 2009. Metro Auditor Suzanne Flynn and Senior Management Auditors Elizabeth Wager and Kristin Lieber conducted the audit.
The audit reviewed Metro's management of capital construction projects at the Oregon Zoo. The purpose of the audit was to determine if Metro was prepared to implement the set of new Zoo improvement projects funded by a $125 million bond measure passed by the voters in 2008. Auditors reviewed three Oregon Zoo projects in different stages of completion. The judging panel commented that the report was well-written and findings had elicited a strong response from Metro management. ALGA judges said the audit was clear and innovative in that it started at the beginning of a multi-year construction period in order to address concerns early.
This year's award brings the total awards received by the Metro Auditor's Office to nine.
"I am proud to be part of an office that produces high quality reports," said Auditor Flynn. "It is also gratifying for our office to be recognized by our peers."
ALGA is an association for local government auditors and has a membership of over 300 audit shops in all 50 states and approximately 2,000 members worldwide. Each year, ALGA recognizes excellent auditing with its three Knighton Awards. An independent judging panel selects the best reports from submissions by government audit shops throughout North America. The judging criteria include scope and potential for significant impacts, persuasiveness of conclusions, focus of the recommendations on effective and efficient government, clarity and conciseness of communication style, and innovation.
For more information contact Suzanne Flynn, Metro Auditor, at 503-797-1891. Copies of the audit may also be obtained by calling the Office of the Metro Auditor at 503-797-1892.