Southwest Iowa Transit Agency Director Steve Andersen reacted today (Friday), to a report from Auditor of State David Vaudt, with regard to a special investigation of the Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA), based in Atlantic. The special investigation was requested by the Office of Public Transit within the Department of Transportation (DOT), as a result of concerns regarding Andersen’s compliance with reporting requirements.

Steve Andersen – SWITA Transportation Director (Photo from swipco.org)

Andersen told KJAN News SWITA welcomes Vaudt’s findings and have already implemented methods to correct reporting procedures to the DOT. He says many of the changes were made in advance of the report, which he received Thursday morning. Andersen says their past reports are being amended to accurately reflect the number of charter rides, in particular, those offered in Fiscal Year 2012.

The report covers the period of July 1st, 2011 through June 30th, 2012. Vaudt reported the special investigation identified 8,901 charter riders which were improperly included as public riders on the quarterly charter reports submitted to DOT by SWITA, which does not comply with the Code of Federal Regulations. Because charter services were not properly reported to DOT in fiscal year 2012, SWITA could potentially receive funding in fiscal year 2014 which the agency is not entitled to if the charter riders are not adjusted.  Andersen says the goal of the audit was to provide corrective action, and that goal is being accomplished through the efforts of SWITA and the Office of Public Transit.

The audit report also identified $300 of improper disbursements for the payment of golf registration fees for employees of the Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO). Andersen says the funds were for two drivers and two office personnel, including himself, to participate in a fundraiser for the Cass County Memorial Hospital Foundation. He says their participation, which was approved by the previous SWITA executive director, was intended to serve as a “Thank you” to the hospital for their business. Andersen says SWITA’s “…Amended internal policy no longer allows for such expenditures, and it will no longer be an issue.”

The report includes recommendations to strengthen the DOT’s internal controls and overall operations, and it makes recommendations to strengthen SWITA’s internal controls and overall operations. Andersen said he takes full responsibility for any discrepancies in the report, and that he will work to ensure those errors don’t happen again.

Copies of the report have been filed with the Iowa Department of Transportation for consultation with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration. A copy of the report is available for review in the Office of Auditor of State and on the Auditor of State’s web site at http://auditor.iowa.gov/specials/1360-6450-B0P1.pdf.

The Harlan Municipal Utilities Board of Directors, Thursday, approved their Fiscal Year 2013-2014 budget. CEO Darrell Wenzel said during the meeting total operating revenues dropped 5% while water increased 8 percent and could be more if the drought continues. HMU will realize a 3% increase in revenue, with operating expenses were down 3%.

In other news the Board of Trustees discussed, in length, recent talks between HMU and the City regarding the Former HMU building. In the meeting, it was noted the City is worried about spending money on remodeling the front offices of the former HMU building and then the Utility company coming back to the city asking for the use of the building.

An agreement is being drawn up by the city and HMU but nothing has been set in concrete. HMU is currently using the former building for head-in equipment. The Board did not take any action on the matter and instead advised CEO Wenzel to continue talking with Harlan City Administrator Terry Cox on an agreement.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

Auditor of State David A. Vaudt today (Friday) released a report on a special investigation of the Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA), based in Atlantic. The report covers the period of July 1st, 2011 through June 30th, 2012. The special investigation was requested by the Office of Public Transit within the Department of Transportation (DOT) as a result of concerns regarding compliance with reporting requirements by SWITA Transit Director Steve Andersen.

Vaudt reported the special investigation identified 8,901 charter riders which were improperly included as public riders on the quarterly charter reports submitted to DOT by SWITA, which does not comply with the Code of Federal Regulations. Because charter services were not properly reported to DOT in fiscal year 2012, SWITA could potentially receive funding in fiscal year 2014 which the agency is not entitled to if the charter riders are not adjusted.

In addition, Vaudt identified $300.00 of improper disbursements for the payment of golf registration fees for employees of the Southwest Iowa Planning Council SWIPCO. The report includes recommendations to strengthen DOT’s internal controls and
overall operations, such as reviewing quarterly reports submitted in a timely manner and conducting follow-up on any variances. In addition, the report includes recommendations to strengthen SWITA’s internal controls and overall operations, such as obtaining independent approval of quarterly reports submitted to DOT, including the driver’s name and the reason for use of the vehicle on the mileage logs and providing supporting documentation for meetings and/or training attended which are included on employee timesheets.

Copies of the report have been filed with the Iowa Department of Transportation for consultation with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration. A copy of the report is available for review in the Office of Auditor of State and on the Auditor of State’s web site at http://auditor.iowa.gov/specials/1360-6450-B0P1.pdf.

The Cass County Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday (Jan. 24^th), approved an amendment to the County’s Zoning Ordinance, which changes the Business District section of the Ordinance to permit businesses that sell and repair firearms, and/or operate an indoor shooting gallery. The Commission will forward its recommendation to the Cass County Board of Supervisors, for the consideration and possible adoption of the amended ordinance.

A Massena man appeared before the Commission Thursday night at the courthouse in Atlantic, to present his plan to open a gun sales and repair shop and indoor shooting range, near Massena. Currently, that type of business is not allowed under the County’s Zoning Ordinance.

If the Supervisor’s approve the Zoning Commission’s recommendation to adopt the amended ordinance, the gun shop near Massena could be open later this spring.