This management letter review is to document the county's progress in implementing the 2005 and 2006 Brightwater Project performance audit recommendations for improving the Wastewater Treatment Division's procurement and contracting practices. Presented July 8, 2008.

Brightwater Project Quarterly Oversight Report (2007/2008)
Susan Baugh, R.W. Beck

Brightwater project quarterly oversight reports recognize steps the Wastewater Treatment Division is taking to successfully manage the Brightwater Project and deal with the changing construction environment. The reports also respond to the County Council's goal of strengthening the Brightwater Project's performance and accountability through independent, expert oversight. The reports are presented to the King County Council Capital Budget Committee.

Management of Brightwater Treatment Plant Engineering Services Contract Amendments (2006)
Susan Baugh, Jan Lee

This audit evaluates the county's management of the contracting processes, including contract amendments, for the professional design engineering services for the Brightwater treatment plant.  Presented October 9, 2006.

King County Procurement Practices for Brightwater Professional Design Engineering Services (2005)
Susan Baugh, Wendy Soo Hoo, Jan Lee

This performance audit examined the timeliness and cost effectiveness of the county’s procurement and contracting practices for professional design engineering services.  Best practices were also considered for procurement of professional design engineering services to identify potential opportunities for improvement.  Presented June 28, 2005.

Follow-up: Wastewater Treatment Division Capital Planning (2004)
Valerie Whitener

This is a follow-up review of the Wastewater Treatment Division's efforts to implement recommendations from our 2003 performance audit of the division's capital planning activities.  Presented December 10, 2004.

Management Letter in pdf Format  (27 KB)

Wastewater Treatment Division Capital Planning (2003)
Valerie Whitener, Bob Thomas, David Reynolds

The performance audit evaluated major project management processes for wastewater treatment projects in the Wastewater Division of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks including program development, cost and budget development, and information/data reporting to decision makers.  Presented September 23, 2003.

Report in PDF Format (391 KB)

Groundwater Protection Services Inventory Review (2003)
David Reynolds

Pursuant to a program oversight mandate included in Ordinance 14214 (2001), the auditor’s office reviewed to what extent groundwater protection services are being provided by King County and prepare an inventory of those groundwater protection services that are provided and are not provided by King County.  As mandated, the auditor’s office will deliver this information to the council by July 2003.  Issued July 22, 2003. 

The audit reviewed transfer station safety and injury claims and determined the effectiveness of the Solid Waste Division and the Safety and Claims Management Program in resolving such claims.  Presented December 12, 2000.

East Lake Sammamish Trail (1999)
Bobby Buyco

The study reviewed the purchase of the East Lake Sammamish Trail right-of-way to determine if the transaction followed procedures established by the County for the acquisition of real property and determine whether the purchase price was supported by independent appraisals.  Presented June 8, 1999.

Report Summary                    Report in PDF Format (759KB)

The study evaluated the six-year financial plan and its effect on staffing, organization and allocation of costs. Also reviewed future service boundary adjustments due to annexations and incorporations and the growth management act, and programming coordination with other jurisdictions. Issued November 14, 1997.

Report Summary

The special study evaluated the efficiency and effectiveness of coordination between County agencies on capital improvement projects. Presented October 14, 1997.

Report Summary

The audit examined the policies and procedures used by Metro to manage large capital improvement projects.

Report Summary

Cultural Programs (1996)
Paul Walker, Bobby Buyco

The audit determined whether the programs administered by the Cultural Resources Division, which are funded by the King County Arts and Cultural Development fund, achieved the mandate as described in the King County Code, and whether internal controls over grants were adequate.

Report Summary 

The audit evaluated whether the sewer capacity charge complied with legislative mandates and reviewed the monthly capacity charge, the use of capacity charge revenues, and the capacity charge billing system.

Report Summary

County Fair Financial and Contract Management (1995)
Makoto (Mac) Fletcher , Bert Golla, Paul Walker

The audit reviewed the financial, contract management and administrative policies and procedures, including relevant internal controls, related to the operation and management of the annual King County Fair.

Report Summary 

This special study performed a general review of the policies and procedures for estimating and budgeting SWM non-construction CIP project costs.

Report Summary

The audit evaluated the Solid Waste Division's internal controls related to fuel usage, inventory handling, and storage of parts and supplies.

Report Summary

This special study determined whether the Solid Waste Division was in compliance with County policies, procedures, and regulations related to accepting or not accepting certain solid waste for disposal.

Report Summary

The audit reviewed the basis of the SWM service charge by focusing on the rate setting methodology and the reasonableness of the underlying data and assumptions.

Report Summary

Office of Open Space Financial Administration (1993)
Makoto (Mac) Fletcher

The audit investigated the nature and cause of a $190,000 budget overrun in the Office of Open Space's 1992 administrative budget and determined the reasons for significant delays in identifying the budget problem.

Report Summary

The audit determined whether Solid Waste equipment was replaced economically.

Report Summary