* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Stokes
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
Audit of the Recreation and Parks Department
FOR the purpose of requesting that the Comptroller and the Administration contract with an outside accounting firm to perform a thorough audit of the Recreation and Parks Department in order to provide City policymakers with an accurate and complete picture of how that Department is using the funds entrusted to it.
body
Recitals
Baltimore's Recreation and Parks Department is responsible for providing a variety of services that significantly improve the quality of life for many Baltimoreans. Yet, this Department has long struggled to adequately fund all of its activities. In recent years, the City's financial difficulties have led the Department to close numerous recreation centers and pools while curtailing the hours of many others.
In light of these closures, and continued City-wide financial strains, it is important to ensure that the Recreation and Parks Department is making the best possible use of the funds available to it to maximize the City's return on those funds and minimize service reductions. Last April, 2010, the Comptroller's office was asked to audit the Recreation and Parks Department to help in determining whether or not the Department was in fact making the best use out of its funds.
Surprisingly, the Comptroller's office found Recreation and Parks' accounting procedures and records to be in such disarray that it was not possible to determine how the Department was spending City money. The Comptroller's office attempted to organize Recreation and Parks' records into something that could be systematically reviewed, but, facing their own resource limitations, the Comptroller reportedly determined that her office simply did not have the resources to complete a timely audit.
This situation cannot be allowed to continue. In order to make appropriate decisions about how to distribute scarce resources, policymakers need an accurate and full accounting of how such a large and important agency is, and has been, using its funds. If the Comptroller lacks the staff necessary to provide this accounting, an outside accounting firm must be retained to provide it instead.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Comptroller and the Administration are requested to contract with an outside accounting firm to perform a thorough audit of the Recreation and Parks Department in order to provide City policymakers with an accurate and complete picture of how that Department is using the funds entrusted to it.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Comptroller, the Director of Recreation and Parks, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
dlr 11-2432(2)~intro/04May11
ccres/R&PAudit/tw
dlr 11-2432(2)~intro/04May11
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ccres/R&PAudit/tw