In what city officials say is a first ever, Augusta may soon audit the city Parks and Recreation department.
Commissioner Sean Frantom pushed for the audit after the sudden resignation of former director Maurice McDowell Feb. 14, saying it will give his replacement a fresh start.
A city committee recommended the Providence, R.I. firm Marcum LLP to conduct the audit, at a maximum price of $141,365, documents said. The firm, one of just two to submit bids, will conduct the audit in a hybrid remote and in-person fashion.
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The bid award to Marcum goes before Augusta’s Finance Committee Tuesday for a recommendation.
The audit will look at the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 and whether charges billed to the Lake Olmstead account are appropriate, as well as whether a list of 92 community center user groups and their billed amounts are accurate, according to city documents.
The audit will examine all expenses charged to the Riverwalk, about 75-100 invoices for them, including $150,000 spent on the Eighth Street bulkhead. It will look at all park spending and the work that was performed and track down all employee hotel stays, estimated at fewer than 100, and the employees that used them. Augusta has more than 60 parks and recreation facilities.
The audit will also look at sales from the Candlelight Jazz series, a popular venue during political campaigns, and how that money was collected and spent.
On a broader basis the audit will look at processes the city could automate that might clarify operations, determine if internal controls are sufficient to protect city assets and ensure resources are used effectively and efficiently.
McDowell served as right hand for commissioners on special projects, such as Sammie Sias’ renovations at Jamestown Community Center. McDowell testified at Sias’ 2022 corruption trial that receipts for work performed at community centers were not required.
Among questions about the procurement submitted by the competing firms were whether Parks and Recreation had ever been subject to an internal or other specific audit. The city’s answer was no. Furthermore, “misconduct” was not a suspected reason for the audit, the city said.
The firm is expected to review all transactions and not simply a sample of them, and complete the work within 90 days.
Magnolia Cemetery receives $25,000 bequest
Other items of committee business include accepting a $25,000 bequest from the trust of Susan Calhoun Pund Park for historic Magnolia Cemetery.
The Boston resident worked tirelessly to prevent urban renewal demolitions in a historic area of Boston then served as president of the Boston Preservation Alliance, according to her obituary.
Museum wants MOU with DDA
Augusta Museum of History is seeking help from the Augusta Downtown Development Authority with procurement after three efforts through city procurement got “little or no response.” The DDA is able to seek out contractors “to attain a reasonable bid on behalf of the museum,” the item states.
New Kroger to open soon
After an 11 a.m. closed session, the full commission is set to approve a beer and wine sales license for the new Kroger Marketplace located off Jimmie Dyess Parkway.
