In a contract with Stallard Consulting LLS to proved media services, public relations and marketing for the dam re-licensing efforts, we noted an overpayment of $18,166.41. The contract states, that the total amount of payments in any one-year is not to exceed $187,200. In 2001 we noted the total paid under this contract was $205,366.41. The District claims the additionfunds were fore travel related expenses for the consultant. However, the agreement does not contain any mention that travel related, or any other expenses, would be in addition to the $187,200 provided under this agreement.
We recommend the District not exceed the amounts provided in the agreements. In addition, we recommend the District adjust future payments to the consultant to bring the contract payments back to the amounts allowed under the agreement. Use of District PersonnelDuring our audit we noted the District has assigned one of their employees to work for the Benton REA while being paid salary and benefits by the District. As noted in our finding 1 in our Accountability Report, the activities being provided by Benton REA were not within the authority of the District. The effect of assigning this employee to Benton REA is that the District has provided additional aid in these activities in the form or employee services.
We recommend that in the future the District only assign employees to perform services that are within the District's athority. Public Records Act ComplianceDuring our audit we received a letter raising concerns about written public records requests made to the District that were not adequately addressed. Our review of the District's compliance with the Public Records Act indicated that in most instances the PUD did comply with the act. However, we noted two instances of non-compliance. Thefirst was a request where the District did not respond within the five-day limit. The second involved a request that was improperly denied.
We recommend the District implement procedures to ensure compliance with the Public Records Act.