Dear  , 

We are honored to receive the Association of Local Government Auditors' "2011 Bronze Knighton Award" for  "Failing Streets: Time to Change Direction to Achieve Sustainability", issued in November 2011. Our recommendations could result in a ballot measure this November.

The City will face higher repair and replacement costs in future years if infrastructure maintenance is deferred. A Council Report on February 28, 2012, discussed the City's infrastructure and service priorities and a community survey. Berkeley residents were surveyed so Council could better understand their priorities and willingness to pay for improvements. The results will be used in deciding whether to place revenue measures on the November ballot, as reported in a Special Work Session on April 3.  

We currently have two audits in the planning phase:

Permit Center

Objective:  Do the Planning Department's processes result in effiecient and timely issuance of building permits?

Shelter Plus Care 

Objective: Do the Housing Department's procedures and staffing ensure that Shelter Plus Care expenditures meet statutory and regulatory requirements?

Next month, we anticipate releasing another performance audit:  Increase Business License Tax Revenues: Better Guidance and Collection Efforts Needed.

Other audits on the 2012 plan include Affects of Reductions in Federal and State Funding on City Services and City Ethics Policies: Employee Survey.